Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Flower buds - raw or cooked[6][7][2][8][9][10][5].
Flowers
Cooked, Boiled, Steamed as a Vegetable
Dried as a Rennet substitute
Stem
Raw, Cooked as a Vegetable
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
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[11][12]. The leaves are anticholesterolemic, antirheumatic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycaemic and lithontripic[7][13][14]. 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[11][12]. The leaves are best harvested just before the plant flowers, and can be used fresh or dried[11].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
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[15]. Spacing 1.0m by 1.5 m[1]. Protect the seed from mice[15]. 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.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cynara scolymus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Prefers a light warm soil and an open position in full sun[2][8][16][10]. Requires plenty of moisture in the growing season and a good rich soil[4]. Succeed in areas with an average rainfall ranging from 400 - 1800mm. Prefers a sheltered position[4] but plants are reasonably wind resistant[K]. Plants are tolerant of saline conditions[17]. Plants succeed in cool climates though they may need protection in cold winters[4], 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[5][4]. It is best to renew the plants by division of the suckers every 3 years but they do live for a number of years[4]. 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[18]. The flowering plant is a magnet for bees[19].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Cynara scolymus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Cynara scolymus.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
References
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? Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHowToGPV - ? 2.02.12.22.3 Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing ISBN 0-273-00098-5 (32202/01/01)
- ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
- ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
- ? 5.05.15.25.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)
- ? 6.06.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (32202/01/01)
- ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (32202/01/01)
- ? 8.08.18.2 Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-050-0 (32202/01/01)
- ? 9.09.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
- ? 10.010.110.2 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (32202/01/01)
- ? 11.011.111.211.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (32202/01/01)
- ? 12.012.112.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (32202/01/01)
- ? 13.013.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (32202/01/01)
- ? 14.014.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
- ? 15.015.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
- ? Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber (32202/01/01)
- ? 17.017.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (32202/01/01)
- ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (32202/01/01)
- ? International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (32202/01/01)
- ? Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (32202/01/01)
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