In this summer time we can notice, among the plants on the coastal dunes of the Torre del Cerrano Marine Protected Area, some flowers similar to sunflowers. We are in front of the topinambour, (Helianthus tuberosus), also called German turnip, Jerusalem artichoke or Canadian sunflower.
It is different from sunflower (Helianthus annuus), because its flower heads are smaller and it has a tuber (for that the specific name tuberosus) that makes it a herbaceous perennial plant. The tuber is edible: for this reason these species are also called “topinambour potato”. The tuber is highly recommended for diabetics’ diet, thanks to its starch shortage: in fact it can reduce sugar assimilation. The trunk can be 2-3 meters tall. The dark-green leaves are as rough as sandpaper and crossed by three nerves. The roots are very branched: it is a very adaptable plant which easily grows up in all kinds of soil. Its diffusion is similar to some infesting plants and it grows up both on hill and on sea level.
(Thanks go to prof. Antonio Antonucci for botanical expert advice)