Helianthus tuberosus L.

Spice Roof detail Flower In the field

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Helianthus

Catalan common name: Nyàmera.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): North American

Uses and properties: Edible or foodstuffs.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Garden plants. Gardens and sometimes naturalizated.

Characteristics: A plant that can reach up to three metres in height, resembles a sunflower (Helianthus annuus) but is much smaller in all of its aerial parts, especially the capitulum, which doesn?t reach more than ten centimetres in diameter. In contrast to the sunflower, this is a perennial with a subterranean tuber. Originates from the Americas, it has naturalized to some torrents and roadside borders. Flowers in the summer.