The Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a perennial, thistle-like plant, originating in southern Europe around the Mediterranean. It grows to 1.5-2 m tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery glaucous-green leaves 50-80 cm long. The flowers develop in a large head from an edible bud about 8-15 cm diameter with numerous triangular scales; the individual florets are purple.
The Globe artichoke is very closely related to the Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), and possibly derived from it in cultivation; the controversy whether it occurs wild or is a cultivar of the Cardoon has not yet been resolved. It is likewise uncertain whether references to the Globe artichoke in classical Greek and Roman authors are really references to the Cardoon. It is, however, certain that the Globe artichoke as we know it today was cultivated in the eastern Mediterranean before the 12th century, and subsequently introduced to the rest of Europe.
Globe artichokes were first cultivated at Naples around the middle of the 15th century, and are said to have been introduced to France by Catherine de Medici, in the 16th century. The Dutch introduced artichokes to England, where they were growing in Henry VIII's garden at Newhall in 1530. They were introduced to the United States in the 19th century, to Louisiana by French immigrants and to California by Spanish immigrants. The name appears to have originated with the Arabic al-karsufa, through the Italian, articiocco.
Today, the Globe artichoke is cultivated mainly in France, Italy, and Spain. In the United States, California provides nearly 100 percent of the local crop, and approximately 80 percent of that is grown in Monterey County. Castroville in Monterey County proclaims itself to be "The Artichoke Center of the World" (a claim with no basis in international reality). The cultivar 'Green Globe' is virtually the only kind grown commercially in the U.S.
Globe artichokes are perennials, and produce the edible flower only during the second and subsequent year. Commercial culture is limited to warm areas in USDA hardiness zone 7 and above. It requires good soil, regular watering and feeding plus frost protection in winter. Rooted suckers can be planted each year so that mature specimens can be disposed of after a few years, as each individual plant only lives a few years. The peak season for artichoke harvesting is the spring, but they continue to be harvested throughout the summer, with another peak period in mid autumn.
When harvesting, if they are cut from the ground so as to leave an inch or two of stem, artichokes possess good keeping qualities, frequently remaining quite fresh for two weeks or longer under average retail conditions.
The recently introduced hybrid cultivar 'Imperial Star' has been bred to produce in the first year without such measures. An even newer cultivar, 'Northern Star', is said to be able to overwinter in more northerly climates, and readily survive sub-zero temperatures.
Apart from food use, the Globe artichoke is also an attractive plant for its bright floral display, sometimes grown in herbaceous borders for its bold foliage and large purple flowerhead