Cardoon, Prickly Artichoke
Cynara cardunculus

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A perennial herb. It grows 1.5-1.8 m high and 1.2-1.5 m across. It has a fleshy taproot. The leaves are large and silvery green. They are woolly and white underneath. They are divided into narrow primary and secondary lobes. The secondary lobes end in a harsh spine. The flowers are thistle flower heads. They can be 8 cm across. The base of the flower head is prickly and the top is purple. There are several cultivated varieties.

There are about 10 Cynara species. Chemical composition (seeds): high values for the following amino acids - Adenine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Isoleucine and Leucine. Very high values for Phenylalanine and Valine. The flowers are high in antioxidants. It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

It can tolerate light frost. It suits a Mediterranean climate. It grows in full sun. It can grow in dry arid areas with a winter rainfall of 100-300 mm. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 7-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Canary Islands, Chile, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Ecuador, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, India, Italy, Libya, Macedonia, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Paraguay, Portugal, SE Asia, Sicily, Serbia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Tasmania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaf ribs are cooked in stews. The flower heads are eaten raw or cooked after removing the spines. They are often eaten in a sauce of olive oil. The dried flower heads are used as rennet for cheese. The young leaf stems and leaves are blanched then cooked and eaten. The roots can be eaten. They are boiled.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, root, stem, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ahrdou, Assaouen, Carciofi salvacce, Cardo de castilla, Cardo de comer, Cardo penquero, Cardot, Djenah en nser, Eskanuri artishoki, Gafgarit, Gernina, Herba col, Khorchof, Korchef, Mala artičoka, Presora, Querdoun beldi, Taga, Taredouit, Targhdiout, Tarha, Tindjara

Synonyms

Cynara scolymus L.; and several others