Cynara cardunculus

Name and publication

Cynara cardunculus L., Sp. Pl. 2: 827 (1773).

Description

Small, dried artichokes, 5.5-7 cm long, appear in higher end potpourri as “toppers.” The overlapping involucral bracts produce a head (inflorescence) that is nearly globular when fresh but, on drying, becomes longer than wide.

Nativity and distribution

Cynara cardunculus is native to Africa, Western Asia, and Europe but widely cultivated as a vegetable.

Family

Asteraceae (alt. Compositae)

Synonymy

Cynara scolymus L.