Cynara scolymus L.

Spice Detail Flower Fruit In the field

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Cynara

Catalan common name: Carxofera.

Spanish common name: Alcachofera.

Uses and properties: Aphrodisiac. Edible or foodstuffs. Medicinal.

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitat: Cultivated specie and sometimes subespontaneous.

Characteristics: The artichoke plant has large basal leaves, very divided and grey in colour, forms large capitula, artichokes, which can be eaten when immature. Cynara cardunculus differs from the former species as its leaves are much more divided and has spiny leaf emergences on the leaves and capitulum.