Theophrastus and the name of Artichoke.

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Artichoke Plant Description.

Artichoke leaf Extract INCI Name Cynara Scolymus Extract CAS 84012-14-6 EINECS ELINCS No 281-659-3 Artichoke thistle extract photo picture image Description: Large spiny perennial to 2.5 m tall. Artichoke thistle primarily invades disturbed grasslands, especially those in coastal regions. Dense colonies displace desirable vegetation and wildlife and can exclude livestock. It is a progenitor of the commercially cultivated, spineless globe artichoke [Cynara scolymus L.]. Some taxonomists consider globe artichoke and artichoke thistle to be the same species, C. cardunculus L. The two species readily hybridize, and a few spiny wild types often develop among globe artichoke seedlings. See Comparison of spiny-leaved thistles. Artichoke thistle was introduced from the Mediterranean region as a vegetable and ornamental. The artichoke fly (Terellia fuscicornis) was accidentally introduced into California, but is not a CDFA approved biocontrol agent. Preliminary studies suggest that some native thistles (Cirsium spp.) may be vulnerable to attack. At publication time, the fly impact on artichoke thistle populations is unknown. Larvae feed only on mature flower heads, thus commercial artichokes are not significantly affected.

 Seedlings: Cotyledons obovate, 3-5 cm long, bases gradually long-tapered, tips rounded, glabrous or with scattered short woolly hairs. First and subsequent few leaves elliptic, ~ 3-20 cm long, tapered to a long stalk, +/- weakly toothed, teeth tipped with a fine yellowish spine ~ 0.5-3 mm long, +/- covered with short white woolly hairs. Seedlings develop a deep taproot during the first year. Rosette leaves often die during the first summer and re-grow when rains commence in fall.

 Mature Plant: Stems erect, thick, branched near the top, ribbed. Basal leaves 1-2-pinnately lobed or divided, often appear +/- compound, up to 2 m long, lobes tipped with stiff, yellowish to pale orange spines 0.5-2 cm long. Upper surfaces loosely and lower surfaces densely covered with white to gray woolly hairs. Stem leaves alternate, resemble basal leaves but smaller and extend down the stem ~ 1-3 cm at the base (decurrent), forming short spiny wings. Cultivated types may lack or have weak spines.

 Roots and Underground Structures: Tapoot thick, fleshy, can penetrate soil to depths up to 2 m. Roots fragments often generate new shoots.

 Flowers: April-July. Heads solitary at stem tips, ovoid to hemispheric, 3-15 cm in diameter, consist of numerous bluish to purple or rarely white disc flowers ~ 5 cm long. Phyllaries ovate, overlapping in several series, tapered to a stout point. Receptacle fleshy, covered with bristles. Insect-pollinated.

 Fruits and Seeds: Achenes conical to cylindrical, slightly compressed to +/- 4-angled, 6-8 mm long, with an attachment scar at the narrow base, glabrous, dark brown to tan, sometimes with black, brown, or dark green longitudinal striations. Pappus bristles feathery (plumose), 2.5-4 cm long, fused into a ring at the base, tan, attached slightly off-center, deciduous.

 Postsenescence Characteristics: Stems typically die after flowering and can remain standing for several months. Old flower heads may persist on the stems.

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citations1.Theophrastus and the name of Artichoke.

last edit date:1st,July.2009.