Plant Details

Cynara cardunculus

Cardoon

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Common names

45 names · 33 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Artichoke Thistle[1]
  • Cardoon[1]
  • Globe Artichoke[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Wild Cardoon[1]
Other languages (32)
Dutch
French
  • Artichauts sauvages et cultivés[1]
  • Cardon
  • Cardons et Artichaut[1]
Basque
  • Baratze-kardu[1]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 刺苞菜蓟[1]
  • 刺苞蓟[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 刺苞菜薊[1]
Croatian
  • Divlja artičoka[1]
Czech
  • artyčok kardový[1]
Danish
Farsi
  • کنگر فرنگی خاردار[1]
Finnish
  • isoartisokka[1]
German
  • Artischocke[1]
Greek
  • Αγκινάρα[1]
Hebrew
  • ארטישוק[1]
Icelandic
  • Ætiþistill[1]
Italian
Japanese
  • カルドン[1]
Kurdish
  • Artîşoka spanî[1]
Lithuanian
  • Dygusis artišokas[1]
Manx
Norwegian
Polish
  • Karczoch hiszpański[1]
  • Karczoch zwyczajny[1]
  • Kard[1]
Portuguese
  • Alcachofra[1]
  • Cardo-do-coalho[1]
Russian
  • Артишок испанский[1]
Slovak
  • artičoka bodliaková[1]
Slovenian
Spanish
  • Alcachofa[1]
  • Cardo de Castilla[1]
  • cardo de huerta[1]
Swedish
Turkish
  • yabani enginar[1]
Ukrainian
  • Артишок звичайний[1]
Welsh
  • Marchysgallen y gerddi[1]
Zazaki
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Cynara cardunculus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Artichoke Thistle — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Wild Cardoon — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • cardo de huerta — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artichauts sauvages et cultivés — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardo-do-coalho — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardo — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Alcachofra — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardons et Artichaut — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Kardoen — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardoon — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Globe Artichoke — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Divlja artičoka — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Ætiþistill — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Baratze-kardu — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • کنگر فرنگی خاردار — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artisjokk — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artičoka — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Marchysgallen y gerddi — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Αγκινάρα — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardoon — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Kenger — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artîşoka spanî — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Herbacol — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • artyčok kardový — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Alcachofa — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • カルドン — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • 刺苞菜蓟 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • 刺苞蓟 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • kardon — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Артишок испанский — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • yabani enginar — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Carciofo — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • 刺苞菜薊 — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • kardon — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Karczoch zwyczajny — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Kard — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Karczoch hiszpański — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Артишок звичайний — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • ארטישוק — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardo de Castilla — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Dygusis artišokas — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • isoartisokka — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artischocke — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • artičoka bodliaková — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.

General information

Scientific name: Cynara cardunculus
Accepted name (Kew): Cynara cardunculus L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Asteraceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Cynara (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Cardoon
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Vegetable
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.91–1.83 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 0.61–0.91 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Clumping, Columnar, Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Annual, Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, High Organic Matter, Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Leaves, Root, Stem, Stems
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(5)
Functions:
Dye, Carbon farming

Description

Flower buds can be eaten both raw and cooked and serve as an alternative to artichokes. They are slightly smaller than artichokes and are harvested before the flowers open. The buds are usually cooked, and only the base of each bract and the 'heart' are eaten. The taste is perceived by some people as milder and more pleasant than that of artichokes. Stems can be cooked and used as a substitute for celery. It is advisable to mound the stems while they grow to reduce bitterness. Blanched stems can then be cooked or incorporated into salads. In Italy, raw strips of the stems are dipped in olive oil, though they can be too bitter to eat raw. Young leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and were once consumed as a salad by the ancient Romans, although they are somewhat bitter. The root of this plant can be cooked like parsnip and has a tender, thick, and flavorful texture. Additionally, the dried flowers can be used as a rennet substitute in making cheese from plant-based milk.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/08
Harvest ends: 30/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 560388; name ID 3134409; Cynara L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 837704; name ID 2911920; Cynara cardunculus L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Cynara cardunculus

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2055453, ID 6C6PZ: Cynara cardunculus L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Cynara cardunculus — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .