Spain: It looks like a common potato, but it is one of the most dangerous invasive species in the country and is already expanding.

Jerusalem artichoke hides one of the most serious plant threats to Spain’s humid ecosystems.

Although many know it for its culinary uses (such as the "Jerusalem artichoke"), Jerusalem artichoke is an invasive plant with an enormous capacity for expansion.

This is the invasive species that looks like a potato, but is devastating ecosystems.

Helianthus tuberosus , known as Jerusalem artichoke, is a perennial herb that reproduces vegetatively through its tubers and rhizomes.

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It grows vigorously in riverbanks, wetlands, cultivated fields, and even roadsides. It can aggressively compete with and displace native vegetation. Furthermore, its fragments are easily dispersed by waterways or earthworks, making its eradication very difficult.

Although it originated in North America, especially in the Great Lakes region or the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, Jerusalem artichoke is now widely naturalized and invasive in temperate zones of Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America.

In Central Europe, such as France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, it has been the target of eradication campaigns. In Spain, it has spread mainly to provinces in the center, east, and northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, where it colonizes humid and disturbed habitats.

What impact does this invasive plant have in Spain?

Jerusalem artichoke not only displaces native plants, but can also disrupt entire ecosystems. In riparian areas, it forms dense monospecific colonies, slows tree regeneration, exacerbates bank erosion, and jeopardizes flood protection structures.

Its tubers, dug up by rodents, contribute to the physical deterioration of the soil. As if that weren’t enough, its roots can emit allelopathic substances that impede the growth of other plants. It also affects pollinating insects by displacing the plant species on which they depend.

In agriculture, it behaves like a weed. Even a few tubers per square meter can reduce the yield of crops such as corn, beets, or barley by more than 70%. Its elimination is expensive and slow, and can take years.

For all these reasons, in Spain it is included in the Catalogue of Invasive Alien Species, regulated by Royal Decree 630/2013.

What is being done to stop this invasive tuber?

Removing Jerusalem artichokes is neither easy nor cheap. Their tubers can remain active for years and sprout easily.

Among the measures applied:

• Repeated mowing: In Germany, cutting plants twice a year for two years was successful in controlling populations. It is most effective when combined with digging up tubers.
• Herbicide use: Products such as glyphosate, dicamba, or mixtures with MCPA have yielded mixed results. They are most effective if applied early, but their use is difficult near rivers.
• Combined methods: The most effective method so far has been to combine mechanical or manual mowing with appropriate herbicides. This method has been successful in completely eliminating the plant in some areas the following year.

In the long term, potential biological control agents, such as specific fungi and parasites, are also being studied, although they have not yet been applied on a large scale.

Can you eat this invasive species?

Yes,  this invasive species can be eaten , although few would imagine it. That’s one of the reasons it was introduced to Europe in the 17th century. Jerusalem artichokes are an edible tuber with a sweet, earthy flavor similar to that of an artichoke. It has a crunchy texture when raw and becomes tender when cooked.

It’s rich in fiber, especially inulin, which is good for intestinal health and glycemic control. It provides complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, and minerals such as potassium, iron, and magnesium.

It’s also very versatile; it can be boiled, roasted, fried, used in purées, soups, or raw in salads. It remains highly valued in France. It can replace potatoes in many dishes and is even used to make gnocchi or crispy fries.