Artichoke thistle


Artichoke Thistle

Cynara cardunculus, also known as Artichoke thistle or cardoon, is a delicate, erect, columnar, and vigorous perennial with spiny, sharp, serrated, deeply lobed, silvery-gray leaves and thistle-like blooms.

Artichoke Thistle

Although it’s edible (the celery-like stems can be harvested, blanched, braised, or steamed and eaten), in the United States, it is not generally grown for consumption. Still, it is most often grown in gardens as an ornamental plant due to its attractive flowers and foliage.

Artichoke Thistle Flower

The flowers bloom from August to September in cold winter weather.

Artichoke Thistle Flowers

Typically, it grows in a tuft up to 3 feet tall, from which flower stalks rise up to 6 feet tall, topped with blue-violet flowers.

Cardoon Flower

The flowers are very conspicuous on the plant. The Artichoke thistle originates from southern Europe. It is a plant in the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. The genus Cynara has 8 recognized species[1] and 4 subspecies.

Cynara Cardunculus

Suggested Reading: Flower Kinds with Pictures

Cite This Page

APA7MLA8Chicago
BioExplorer.net. (2024, March 28). Artichoke thistle. Bio Explorer. https://www.bioexplorer.net/plants/flowers/artichoke-thistle/.
BioExplorer.net. "Artichoke thistle" Bio Explorer, 28 March 2024, https://www.bioexplorer.net/plants/flowers/artichoke-thistle/.
BioExplorer.net. "Artichoke thistle" Bio Explorer, March 28 2024. https://www.bioexplorer.net/plants/flowers/artichoke-thistle/.
Key References
  • [1]“Cynara cardunculus – UCI – Center for Environmental Biology”. Accessed December 03, 2021. Link.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here