Cynara cardunculus

La especie de cardo mediterráneo que dio origen tanto a la alcachofa como al cardo — una llamativa perenne de hojas plateadas cultivada por sus brotes y tallos comestibles.
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Cynara cardunculus — globe artichoke & cardoon

Cynara cardunculus is the botanical name for the thistle species that gives us both the globe artichoke and the cardoon — a striking, silver-leaved perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is the species behind our artichoke range within the wider vegetable collection.

History & origin

Native to the Mediterranean, Cynara cardunculus has been cultivated since classical times, prized by the Greeks and Romans, who grew both the leaf-stalk cardoon and the flower-bud artichoke. Through centuries of selection the wild thistle gave rise to two distinct vegetables from one species.

The name Cynara traces to Greek and Latin roots linked to the plant, while cardunculus means "little thistle" — an apt nod to the spiny, architectural character it shares with its wild ancestors. The globe artichoke is the cultivated form grown for its fleshy, immature flower buds.

Botanical characteristics

Cynara cardunculus is a bold, fountain-shaped perennial with large, deeply cut, silvery-grey leaves and thick stems. Grown for food, it is harvested as immature flower buds (the artichoke) or blanched leaf-stalks (the cardoon); left to bloom, it produces spectacular violet-blue thistle flowers loved by bees, set in scaly green heads. Established plants can reach well over a metre tall and form a dramatic, long-lived clump.

Growing Cynara cardunculus from seed

Sow indoors in late winter to early spring for buds in the first or second summer. Grow the seedlings on and plant into rich, free-draining soil in full sun, allowing plenty of room for the large plants. Cut the buds while tight and plump, and mulch the crowns over winter in colder areas. Our vegetable growing guide covers the essentials, and the vegetable sowing calendar shows the timing.

Ready to grow this architectural perennial? Browse the range or read up first.

Related categories: Artichoke · Stem Vegetables · Perennial Vegetables · Culinary Vegetables · All Vegetables

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre la alcachofa y el cardo?
Ambos proceden de Cynara cardunculus. La alcachofa se cultiva por sus capítulos florales comestibles, mientras que el cardo se cultiva por sus pencas blanqueadas. ¿Qué significa el nombre cardunculus?
Significa «cardo pequeño», una referencia al carácter espinoso y arquitectónico de la planta y a su pertenencia a la familia de las margaritas junto con los cardos verdaderos. ¿A qué familia pertenece Cynara cardunculus?
Pertenece a la familia de las margaritas o asteráceas (Asteraceae). Si se deja florecer, produce grandes flores violeta-azuladas de tipo cardo que las abejas adoran. ¿Qué tamaño alcanza la planta?
Es una planta perenne imponente, con porte de fuente, que puede superar fácilmente el metro de altura y anchura, formando una mata dramática y longeva.