Yakon

a perennial herb Height: 1-3 m Leaves: Leaves are opposites with blades decurrent towards the petiole. Leaf blade is broadly ovate and hastate, connate or auriculate at the base; upper leaves are ovate-lanceolate; upper surface is hairy and the lower pubescent. Flowers: Inflorescences are terminal, composed of 1 – 5 axes, each one with 3 capitula; peduncles densely pubescent. Phyllaries are uniseried and ovates, up to 15 mm in length and 10 mm in width. Inflorescences (head) are yellow to orange with close to 15 ligulate flowers, which are female, have 2 or 3-teeth, and grow to 12 mm x 7 mm; disc flowers are male, about 7 mm long. Fruits: Achene is, on average, between 3.7 mm – 2.2 mm (55), ellipsoidal, dark brown colored, with a smooth epidermis and a solid endocarp characterized by easy removal of the pericarp by slight rubbing. Some ecotypes do not produce fruit and, if so, they are not viable (47).