Pollinator plant

Cardoon

Cynara cardunculus

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

52 names · 33 languages
EnglishYour language
+8 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (32)
Dutch
French
  • Artichauts sauvages et cultivés[2][3]
  • Cardon
  • Cardons et Artichaut[2][3]
Basque
  • Baratze-kardu[3]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 刺苞菜蓟[3]
  • 刺苞蓟[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 刺苞菜薊[3]
Croatian
  • Divlja artičoka[3]
Czech
  • artyčok kardový[3]
Danish
Farsi
  • کنگر فرنگی خاردار[3]
Finnish
  • isoartisokka[3]
German
Greek
  • Αγκινάρα[3]
Hebrew
  • ארטישוק[3]
Icelandic
  • Ætiþistill[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • カルドン[3]
Kurdish
  • Artîşoka spanî[3]
Lithuanian
  • Dygusis artišokas[3]
Manx
Norwegian
Polish
  • Karczoch hiszpański[3]
  • Karczoch zwyczajny[3]
  • Kard[3]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Артишок испанский[3]
Slovak
  • artičoka bodliaková[3]
Slovenian
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • yabani enginar[3]
Ukrainian
  • Артишок звичайний[3]
Welsh
  • Marchysgallen y gerddi[3]
Zazaki
Sources & name notes (3)

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

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

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

[1] Cynara cardunculus — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Cardoon — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artichoke Thistle — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardoons — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Desert Artichoke — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • European Cardoon — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Globe Artichoke — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Scotch Thistle — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Scottish Thistle — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(8); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Spanish Artichoke — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(9); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Wild Artichoke — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(10); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Wild Cardoon — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(11); heading: Common Name(s):; Cynara cardunculus.
[2] Cynara cardunculus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Cardoon — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Kardoen — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artichoke Thistle — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artischocke — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Globe Artichoke — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Wild Cardoon — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Alcachofa — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardo de Castilla — results[0].names[40]; 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.
  • Cardons et Artichaut — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Carciofo — results[0].names[32]; 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.
  • Cardo-do-coalho — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
[3] Cynara cardunculus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • Cardoon — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Kardoen — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artichoke Thistle — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Artischocke — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Globe Artichoke — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Wild Cardoon — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Alcachofa — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Cardo de Castilla — results[0].names[40]; 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.
  • Cardons et Artichaut — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • Carciofo — results[0].names[32]; 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.
  • Cardo-do-coalho — results[0].names[5]; 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Dygusis artišokas — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • isoartisokka — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
  • artičoka bodliaková — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 57563; Cynara cardunculus.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Cynara cardunculus is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Asteraceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.91–1.83 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.61–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Clumping; Columnar; Erect

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Annual; Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Cynara cardunculus in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Native range
Macaronesia, Medit.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous, Vegetable
Size
Small
Dimensions
2.00 m high × 1.00 m wide
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
5-9
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Fruit, Leaves, Root, Stem, Stems
Functions
Dye, Carbon farming
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
5 out of 5

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.

Sources and references

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

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Cynara cardunculus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2055453; ID 6C6PZ; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2055453; ID 6C6PZ; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Cynara cardunculus — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 3, column 1, entry Cynara cardunculus (top 652 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Cynara cardunculus — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 837704; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1484643, 1484645, 1484646, 1484648, 1484649, 1484652, 1484655, 1484657, 1484661, 1484662, 1484663, 1484664, 1484665, 1484666

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.