ABSTRACT
The globe artichoke, Cynara scolymus L., belongs in the family Compositae, and is native to the Mediterranean region (5). The closely related cardoon, Cynara cardunculus L., was popular in ancient times, but the globe artichoke is known with certainty only from the Middle Ages (9). It should not be confused with the Jerusalem artichoke (q.v.)- Current production of globe artichokes is well over 1 million tonnes, the main producers being Italy, Spain and, to a lesser extent, France. Other growing areas include North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, California, parts of South America, and New Zealand.
