Cynara scolymus - Globe Artichoke

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Not known in the wild, it probably arose from a form of C. cardunculus.

Cynara scolymus (Globe Artichoke) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 6and is vunerable to frost.
Globe Artichoke will flower in February to March. the seeds ripen from March to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera

Soil Information

Globe Artichoke will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Globe Artichoke prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Globe Artichoke should not be planted in shady areas.

Not known in the wild.

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

Prefers a light warm soil and an open position in full sun[15, 16, 33, 37]. Requires plenty of moisture in the growing season and a good rich soil[200]. Prefers a sheltered position[200] but plants are reasonably wind resistant[K]. Plants are tolerant of saline conditions[4]. Plants succeed in cool climates though they may need protection in cold winters[200], they are unlikely to thrive in the north of Britain. Wet winters are far more likely to cause problems than cold ones[4, K]. The globe artichoke is often cultivated in the garden and sometimes commercially for its edible flower buds, there are some named varieties[183, 200]. It is best to renew the plants by division of the suckers every 3 years but they do live for a number of years[200]. The plant has recently been reclassified (1999) as not having specific status but being part of C. cardunculus. However, since it is distinct enough from the gardener's viewpoint (having a much larger seedhead) we have decided to leave it with its own entry for the time being[K]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. The flowering plant is a magnet for bees[108].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Flower buds - raw or cooked[2, 7, 15, 16, 27, 37, 183]. Used before the flowers open[171]. The flavour is mild and pleasant[K]. Gobe artichokes are considered to be a gourmet food but they are very fiddly to eat. 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 [K]. Small, or baby artichokes, that are produced on lateral stems can be pickled or used in soups and stews[183]. Plants yield about 5 to 6 main heads per year from their second year onwards[200]. Flowering stems - peeled and eaten raw or cooked. A sweet nutty flavour[183]. Young leaf stems - a celery substitute[200]. They are normally blanched to remove the bitterness and then boiled or eaten raw[183]. We find them too bitter to be enjoyable[K]. Leaves - cooked. A bitter flavour[15, 61]. The dried flowers are a rennet substitute, used for curdling plant milks[4, 183].

• Curdling agent - used to curdle soya milk in making cheese.
• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 5/5
The globe artichoke 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[238, 254]. The leaves are anticholesterolemic, antirheumatic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, hypoglycaemic and lithontripic[7, 21, 165]. 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[238, 254]. The leaves are best harvested just before the plant flowers, and can be used fresh or dried[238].

• Anticholesterolemic - Prevents the build up of cholesterol.
• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Cholagogue - Increases the flow of bile and its discharge from the body.
• Digestive - Aids digestion.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Hypoglycaemic - Reduces the levels of sugar in the blood.
• Lithontripic - Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.

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 April. Sow the seed 2cm deep, putting 2 or 3 seeds at each point that you want a plant[1]. Protect the seed from mice[1]. Division of suckers. This is best done in November and the suckers overwintered in a cold frame then planted out in April. Division can also be carried out in March/April with the divisions being planted out straight into their permanent positions, though the plants will be smaller in their first year.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

A dark grey dye is obtained from the leaves[7].

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

'Grande Beurre' - The plant produces large flattened spineless heads that are very consistent in size[183]. They are fleshy and delicious[183]. Growing to 2.4 metres tall, it has been selected for its ability to crop in its first year from seed and is sometimes grown as an annual[183].
'Green Globe Improved' - The plant produces large globe-shaped heads, up to 10cm in diameter, that are deep-green throughout with no tint of purple[183]. Growing 1.3 - 1.5 metres tall, they are consistently heavy bearing and can produce a crop in their first year from seed[183]. The number of sharp spines is greatly reduced, making harvesting easier[183].
'Green Globe' - The plant produces large heads that are nearly round and with a dusky purplish tint[183]. It has thick highly flavoured scales[183]. The receptacles are very fleshy, more so than in most cultivars[183]. Plants grow 1.2 - 1.8 metres tall and up to 2.4 metres wide[183]. Mature plants yield 12 - 20 buds each[183]. Seedlings are very uniform[183]. They can produce a crop in their first year[183].

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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