artichoke

artichoke name for two different plants of the family Asteraceae ( aster family), both having edible parts. The French, or globe, artichoke ( Cynara scolymus ) is a thistlelike plant of which the globular flower heads are used in the immature state as a salad or vegetable; only the lower part of the fleshy bracts ( "leaves" ) and the center ( "heart" ) are eaten. The cultivation of this S European plant is now a considerable industry in California. A large part of the yearly crop is canned for export to South America. The edible blanched leaves and leafstalks are called chard. The other artichoke plant is the Jerusalem artichoke . Artichokes are classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Asterales, family Asteraceae.

artichoke (globe artichoke) Tall, thistle-like perennial plant with large, edible, immature flower heads, native to the Mediterranean region. It has spiny leaves and blue flowers. Height: 0.9–1.5m (3–5ft). Family Asteraceae/Compositae; species Cynara scolymus. A different plant, the Jerusalem artichoke, is grown for its edible tubers. Family Asteraceae/Compositae; species Helianthus tuberosus.