The taxonomic treatment given here for the Cardoon (treated here as Cynara cardunculus) and the Globe Artichoke (treated here as Cynara scolymus) is not universally accepted. The two species are very closely related and, like the Cardoon, the Globe Artichoke almost certainly arose from the wild form of Cynara cardunculus in cultivation. Many modern treatments unite the two into the single species Cynara cardunculus, which is itself treated as comprising three subspecies (both the Globe Artichoke and the Cardoon are treated as Cynara cardunculus subsp. cardunculus). The subspecies Cynara cardunculus flavescens Wiklung comprises the wild forms of the species and has become a noxious weed in some areas[].

Common Name: Cardoon

General Information

Cynara cardunculus is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial plant growing from a deep taproot; it can grow up to 2 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes cultivated for these pueposes and is also grown as an ornamental, where it is especially valued for the architectural effect of its leaves[].
Wild type races of Cynara cardunculus (the subspecies Cynara cardunculus flavescens Wiklung, known commonly as artichoke thistles) are invasive and tenacious weeds that have infested Mediterranean climate areas of California, South America, South Africa, and Australia[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Macaronesia - Canary Islands, Madeira; Western Mediterranean - Portugal to the Balkans, Morocco to Lybia

Habitat

Stony or waste places and in dry grassland, usually on clay[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cynara cardunculus is cold tolerant to about -10°c[], or to -15°c if the roots are given a protective mulch[]. Plants are more likely to require protection from winter cold when they are grown in a heavy soil[]. Wet winters can do more harm than cold ones[].
Prefers a light warm soil and an open position in full sun[, ]. For best results, this plant requires plenty of moisture in the growing season and a good rich soil[, , , ], though another report says that it is drought tolerant once established[]. Plants grew very well with us in the hot and very dry summer of 1995, though they were looking very tatty by September[]. Tolerates most soils including heavy clays of both acid and alkaline nature, especially when grown in heavier or more spartan soils[]. Plants are reasonably wind resistant[, ].
At one time the cardoon was often grown for its edible stems but it has now fallen into virtual disuse[], though iIt is still often grown in France, Spain and Italy[]. There are some named varieties[]. It is a very ornamental foliage plant and makes a very attractive feature in the garden. The leaves are long lasting in water and are often used in flower arrangements[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Flower buds - raw or cooked[, ]. A globe artichoke substitute[]. The flower buds are a bit smaller than the globe artichoke and so are even more fiddly to use[]. The buds are harvested just before the flowers open, they are then usually boiled before being eaten. Only the base of each bract is eaten, plus the 'heart' or base that the petals grow from []. The flavour is mild and pleasant and is felt by some people to be more delicate than the globe artichoke[].

Stems - cooked and used as a celery substitute[, , , , ]. It is best to earth up the stems as they grow in order to blanch them and reduce their bitterness[], these blanched stems can then be eaten cooked or in salads[, , ]. In Italy raw strips of the stems are dipped into olive oil[]. We find these stems to be too bitter when eaten raw[].

Young leaves - raw or cooked. Eaten as a salad by the ancient Romans[]. Rather bitter[].

Root - cooked like parsnips[, , ]. Tender, thick and fleshy, with an agreeable flavour[].

The dried flowers are a rennet substitute, used for curdling plant milks[, ].

Medicinal

The cardoon 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[, , ]. They are used internally in the treatment of chronic liver and gall bladder diseases, jaundice, hepatitis, arteriosclerosis and the early stages of late-onset diabetes[, ].
The leaves are best harvested just before the plant flowers, and can be used fresh or dried[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are like a magnet for bees[].

Other Uses

The plant is said to yield a good yellow dye[], though the report does not say which part of the plant is used.

The plant is a potential source of biomass - it can be used for industrial purposes as a form of generating heat and electricity[]. It also has the potential use of producing motor fuel, targeting market demand for a reduction in fuel costs[].

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 mid spring. Sow the seed 2cm deep, putting 2 or 3 seeds at each point that you want a plant[]. Protect the seed from mice[].
Division of suckers. This is best done in late autumn and the suckers overwintered in a cold frame then planted out in mid spring. Division can also be carried out in early to mid spring with the divisions being planted out straight into their permanent positions, though the plants will be smaller in their first year.