Cynara scolymus - Globe Artichoke

Globe Artichokes were cultivated by the Greeks and Romans who obtained them from North Africa. They have been grown in England since at least the 1500's and were considered an aristocratic vegetable. King Henry VIII (1491-1547; he who had 6 wives but could produce only 3 children) was particularly fond of artichokes, possibly because they were (mistakenly) thought to be an aphrodisiac.

The flowerhead is eaten as a vegetable. It is thistle like in appearance Can be pickled, baked, fried, boiled or stuffed. Young artichokes can be eaten raw.

Publisher: Hirts Gardens