Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Time to harvest
- 210–270 days
- Frost limit
- −23.3 °C
Cultivation
Prefers a light warm soil and an open position in full sun. Plants succeed in cool climates though they may need protection in cold winters, 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. 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. The flowering plant is a magnet for bees.
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. 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.
Edible uses
Flower buds - raw or cooked.
Medicinal uses
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. The leaves are anticholesterolemic, antirheumatic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycaemic and lithontripic.
Material uses
A dark grey dye is obtained from the leaves.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Native range
Not known in the wild, it probably arose from a form of C. cardunculus.
Scientific synonyms Cynara cardunculus