Practical
Plants

Cynara scolymus

Globe Artichoke

a vegetable shrub of the Cynara genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Cynara
Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
herbaceous
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Flower colours
green, violet
Pollinators
Bees, Lepidoptera

Uses

Edible uses

Flower buds - raw or cooked[24][31][21][22][27][29][23].

Plant part
Flowers
Preparation
Cooked, Boiled, Steamed
Product or use
Vegetable
Plant part
Flowers
Preparation
Dried
Product or use
Rennet substitute
Plant part
Stem
Preparation
Raw, Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The globe artichoke has become important as a medicinal herb in recent years following the discovery of cynarin. This bitter-tasting compound, which is found in the leaves, improves liver and gall bladder function, stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, especially bile, and lowers blood cholesterol levels[12][13]. The leaves are anticholesterolemic, antirheumatic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycaemic and lithontripic[19][10][5]. They are used internally in the treatment of chronic liver and gall bladder diseases, jaundice, hepatitis, arteriosclerosis and the early stages of late-onset diabetes[12][13]. The leaves are best harvested just before the plant flowers, and can be used fresh or dried[12].

Product or use
Anticholesterolemic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Hypoglycaemic
Product or use
Lithontripic

Material uses

A dark grey dye is obtained from the leaves[19].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Herbaceous

Environment

Range
Not known in the wild, it probably arose from a form of C. cardunculus.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually quick and good, prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions during the summer. It would be prudent to give the plants some winter protection in their first year. The seed can also be sown in situ in April. Sow the seed 2cm deep, putting 2 or 3 seeds at each point that you want a plant[1]. Protect the seed from mice[1]. Division of suckers. This is best done in November and the suckers overwintered in a cold frame then planted out in April. Division can also be carried out in March/April with the divisions being planted out straight into their permanent positions, though the plants will be smaller in their first year.

Cultivation

Prefers a light warm soil and an open position in full sun[21][22][28][29]. Requires plenty of moisture in the growing season and a good rich soil[25]. Succeed in areas with an average rainfall ranging from 400 - 1800mm. Prefers a sheltered position[25] but plants are reasonably wind resistant[K]. Plants are tolerant of saline conditions[30]. Plants succeed in cool climates though they may need protection in cold winters[25], they are unlikely to thrive in the north of Britain. Wet winters are far more likely to cause problems than cold ones[4, K]. The globe artichoke is often cultivated in the garden and sometimes commercially for its edible flower buds, there are some named varieties[23][25]. It is best to renew the plants by division of the suckers every 3 years but they do live for a number of years[25]. The plant has recently been reclassified (1999) as not having specific status but being part of C. cardunculus. However, since it is distinct enough from the gardener's viewpoint (having a much larger seedhead) we have decided to leave it with its own entry for the time being[K]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[26]. The flowering plant is a magnet for bees[20].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

  3. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5

  4. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

  5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  6. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

  10. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  11. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  14. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

  15. Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960-00-00

  16. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

  18. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

  19. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  20. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  21. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing ISBN 0-273-00098-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  22. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  23. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  24. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  25. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  26. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  27. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()

    ↩

  28. Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  29. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  30. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  31. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

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