Jerusalem artichoke
Its yellow autumn heads give nectar and pollen as colonies prepare for winter; it spreads by tubers and is invasive along European streams.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Pollen colour
- Height
- 1,5-3 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Jerusalem artichoke is a close relative of the sunflower, a perennial of North American origin grown for its tubers. It produces smaller but far more numerous yellow flower heads than the sunflower; honey bees visit them for nectar and pollen. Because it flowers late, its value lies more in its timing than in the amount it yields.
Flowering
It flowers from late August to October, until the first frost. This period coincides with the rearing of winter bees; fresh pollen contributes to the nutrition of the winter bees.
Honey and pollen
No monofloral honey is produced. The pollen loads are orange-yellow. On cool autumn days nectar secretion weakens.
Note for the beekeeper
Every piece of tuber left in the soil sprouts again, and the plant forms dense stands along streams; in central Europe it is regarded as invasive. Around the apiary grow it only in a field or garden corner you can keep under control, and do not plant it by water.