Jerusalem artichoke

noun

Also called girasol. a sunflower, Helianthus tuberosus, having edible, tuberous, underground stems or rootstocks.
Also called sunchoke. the tuber itself.

Origin of Jerusalem artichoke

1635–45; alteration of Italian girasole articiocco edible sunflower. See girasol, artichoke

British Dictionary definitions for jerusalem artichoke

Jerusalem artichoke

noun

a North American sunflower, Helianthus tuberosus, widely cultivated for its underground edible tubers
the tuber of this plant, which is cooked and eaten as a vegetable
See also artichoke (def. 1), artichoke (def. 2)

Word Origin for Jerusalem artichoke

C17: by folk etymology from Italian girasole articiocco; see girasol