Artichoke is one of the popular winter season, edible flower bud of the Mediterranean origin. Its use as a vegetable is well known since ancient times for its medicinal and health benefiting qualities. Botanically, it belongs within the thistle family (Asteraceae), in the genus; Cynara. Scientific name: Cyanara scolymus.

Globe artichoke grows up to 1.5-2 m tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery-green leaves about 0.5 m long. Beautiful light pink flowers develop in a large head from the edible buds. The bud is composed of compactly arranged triangular scales in a whorl fashion around a central "choke.

 Artichokes