Cynara scolymus - Globe Artichoke 'Romanesco'

Cynara scolymus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.

It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender.

It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.

It is noted for attracting wildlife.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade and it prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Edible Uses

The flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked and are used before the flowers open. The flavour is mild and pleasant. 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.

Small, or baby artichokes, that are produced on lateral stems can be pickled or used in soups and stews. Plants yield about 5 to 6 main heads per year from their second year onwards.

Flowering stems can also be peeled and eaten raw or cooked and have a sweet nutty flavour. Young leaf stems make a good celery substitute. They are normally blanched to remove the bitterness and then boiled or eaten raw. The leaves can also be cooked but also have a bitter flavour.

Medicinal Uses

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.

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.

For more information you can visit the PFAF (plants for a future) website here.

1 Plant supplied in 0.5 or 1L pot