Which part of an artichoke is eaten?
Globe artichoke is a perennial thistle relative harvested before its flower head opens.
Structure, development and life cycle
The edible head consists of a receptacle bearing many small flowers and the fleshy bracts surrounding it. Bract bases and the inner receptacle are eaten, while the hairy immature flower portion is removed. Unharvested heads open into purple flowers and attract pollinators. Cardoon is another cultivated group of the same species selected for leaf stalks.
Growing, uses and cautions
Mild cool winters, sun, deep fertile soil and regular water build a strong rosette. Extreme heat can produce small heads or cause them to open rapidly. Offshoot propagation preserves a cultivar, while seedlings may vary. Head size alone does not define quality; tightness and harvest stage matter.
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