Artichoke – Cynara scolymus

Common Name: Artichoke

Botanical Name: Cynara scolymus, SIN-a-ra SKO-li-mus

Decorative Life: From 7-25 days.

Flower Color: Blue, Purple

Availability: Fall, Summer

• Member of the Asteraceae or Compositae (aster or sunflower) family.
• Native to the Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands.
• Related species include sunflower, daisy, gerbera and chrysanthemum.

• Flower head is up to 2 inches across, composed of green, tightly overlapping bracts from which emerge purple tassel-like flowers.
• Stems are 20-24 inches long.
• Plant is a large herbaceous perennial, classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• Flowers have no fragrance.

• The edible portion is also used in flower arrangements and is classified as a vegetable, not a fruit, since it is composed of an enlarged receptacle and thickened base of bracts or modified leaves. Fruit developes from flowers.
• Cynara is in reference to the spines below the flower which are likened to dog’s teeth.
• The Compositae or aster family is vast, with over 20,000 species, and is also one of the most developed families. It was named Compositae because the flowers are actually a “composite” of many individual flowers into one head. Hence, when children pull one “petal” off at a time, saying “she/he loves me, loves me not”, they are actually removing a complete flower, not just a petal.
• Can be used as dried flower. Either let them dry on the plant or remove in full bloom and hang them in a dry, hot area for drying.
• After drying, the flowers can be coated or sprayed with shellac or paint .