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Artichoke

Cynara scolymus

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameArtichoke

DescriptionDramatic architectural plant grown primarily for its edible flower buds, which are harvested before blooming and prized as a gourmet vegetable. If left to flower, buds open into spectacular 6-inch purple thistle-like blooms surrounded by spiny, silvery-green bracts. The entire plant, from roots to flower buds to stems, has culinary or medicinal uses, making it both ornamental and highly functional.

FamilyAsteraceae

GenusCynara

TribeCynareae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral Formula⊕ ⚥ K(pappus) C(5) A(5) G(2)

Radially symmetrical, bisexual, sepals modified into pappus (hair-like bristles), 5 fused petals forming tubular florets, 5 stamens with fused anthers forming tube around style, 2 fused carpels with inferior ovary typical of Asteraceae

Features

Name 'artichoke' likely derives from Arabic 'al-kharshuf' through Spanish 'alcachofa.' The genus 'Cynara' comes from Greek legend of Zeus turning a beautiful woman named Cynara into an artichoke plant
Large purple thistle-like flower heads (if allowed to bloom) consist of hundreds of tiny tubular florets surrounded by layers of triangular, spine-tipped bracts. The edible 'artichoke' is actually the immature flower bud harvested before blooming
Herbaceous perennial that dies back in winter and regrows from roots. In Mediterranean climates, plants can produce for 5-7 years. Grown as annual in cold climates. Related to cardoon, which is grown for edible stems
Grows 3-6 feet (1-2 m) tall and 4-5 feet wide, forming large silvery-green rosettes. Lifespan of 3-5 years in perennial plantings. Propagated by division of root suckers or from seed
Native to Mediterranean region, likely originating in North Africa. Cultivated since ancient Greek and Roman times. Now grown commercially in California, France, Italy, and Spain
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily) and well-drained, fertile soil. Needs consistent moisture during bud development. Tolerates coastal conditions and mild winters. Frost-tender but roots survive light freezes
Rich in antioxidants, cynarin, and silymarin compounds beneficial for liver and digestive health. Flowers attract bees and butterflies. Dried flower heads used in arrangements. Leaves have been used medicinally since ancient times

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCynara scolymus

English (Alternate)French Artichoke, Globe Artichoke, and Green Artichoke

Hindiहाथीचक (hathichak), आर्टिचोक (artichoke)

Tamilகூனைப்பூ (kunaippu), முள் முட்டைக்கோசு (mul muttaikotsu)

Teluguఆర్టిచోక్ పువ్వు (Arichok puvvu)

Malayalamആർട്ടിചോക്ക് പൂവ് (ārṭičōk pūv), ആർട്ടിചോക്ക് (ārṭičōk)

Kannadaಕೈಲ (Kaila), ಕೈಲ ಹೂವು (Kaila Huvu), ಆರ್ಟಿಚೋಕ್ ಹೂವು (Artichoke Huvu)

Sanskritभक्ष्यमूल सूर्यमुखी (Bhakshya Mool Suryamukhi) and वज्राङ्गी (Vajrāngī)

Bengaliহাতিচোক (haticōk)

Frenchartichaut

Russianартишок (artishok)

Spanishalcachofa, alcaucil, la alcachofa

GermanArtischocke, Artischockenblüte

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.