The biology of Canadian weeds. 101. Helianthus tuberosus L.

Helianthus tuberosus L., Jerusalem artichoke, is a native perennial tuber-producing weed. In Canada, its range extends from the Maritimes to the Pacific coast, but it is primarly found in southern Ontario and Manitoba. A cultivated form has been grown commercially in Ontario and western Canada for use as a human food source, for livestock feed and for the production of a variety of chemical products such as ethanol. As a weed, H. tuberosus competes vigorously with grain and field crops, but does not readily invade arable land except as a volunteer crop. The high carbohydrate content of H. tuberosus tubers, coupled with multiple regenerative strategies featuring seeds and tuber-bearing rhizomes, can lead to rapid population increases under favorable conditions.