A beautiful sunflower family plant closely related to sunchokes, it is also known as Peruvian ground apple. Native and grown for food in the northern and central Andes from Columbia to northern Argentina. Needs a long season to mature its tubers which can be brought indoors for winter storage. The crisp, juicy sweet tubers are similar to Jicama, and contain inulin and fructooligosaccharide making them popular with diabetics and health conscious diners. A perennial plant that sprouts back from rhizomes at the base of the stem rather than the tubers themselves. Sensitive to hard frosts, the plants should be mulched heavily in mild climates and dug and stored in a cool place in cold winter areas.Very ornamental with furry large traingular leaves and clusters of golden sunflower like flowers in late summer. Easy to grow in any mild long season climate, and can be grown in a container in shorter season climates.