View source for Stachys affinis

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Lamiaceae
|genus=Stachys
|species=affinis
|common_name=Chinese artichoke
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|habit=bulbous
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|Max ht box=20
|Max ht metric=in
|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|Max wd box=36
|Max wd metric=in
|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|exposure=sun
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|features=flowers, edible
|flower_season=early summer, mid summer, late summer
|flower_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|flowers=red, pink, white
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=4
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|max_zone=8
|image=Stachys sieboldii1.jpg
|image_width=180
}}
'''''Stachys affinis''''', the '''Chinese artichoke''', '''chorogi''', '''knotroot''', '''artichoke betony''', or '''crosne''', is an [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]] of the family [[Lamiaceae]].  Although its edible [[tuber]] can be grown as a [[root vegetable]], it is a rare sight in the garden. From a cultivation standpoint this is rather odd &mdash; the plant is easy to grow, requiring neither staking nor earthing-up. The reason that it is so unpopular is the nature of the tubers &mdash; small, convoluted and indented, so that it is the cook rather than the gardener or the family who finds this vegetable frustrating. The thin skin is of whitish-brown or [[ivory]]-white. The flesh underneath, under proper cultivation, is white and tender. It is in season generally commencing with October.

The flavor of the [[tuber]]s is delicate and delicious — they can be treated as [[Jerusalem artichoke]]s in cooking. It is used as a vegetable, in salad compositions, but more so as a garnish. It has a nutty, [[artichoke]]-like flavor.