Artichoke vs. Cardoon — What's the Difference?

The globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus), also known by the names French artichoke and green artichoke in the U.S., is a variety of a species of thistle cultivated as a food.

The cardoon, Cynara cardunculus, also called the artichoke thistle, is a thistle in the sunflower family. It is a naturally occurring species that also has many cultivated forms, including the globe artichoke.

A Mediterranean thistlelike plant (Cynara scolymus) in the composite family, having pinnately divided leaves and large discoid heads of bluish flowers.

A Mediterranean plant (Cynara cardunculus) closely related to the artichoke, cultivated for its edible leafstalks and roots.

The edible, immature flower head of this plant. Also called globe artichoke.

Cynara cardunculus, a prickly perennial plant related to the artichoke which has leaf stalks eaten as a vegetable.

The Jerusalem artichoke.

A large herbaceous plant (Cynara Cardunculus) related to the artichoke; - used in cookery and as a salad.

A plant related to the thistle with enlarged flower heads eaten as a vegetable while immature, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus.

Southern European plant having spiny leaves and purple flowers cultivated for its edible leafstalks and roots

A dull green colour, like that of an artichoke.

Only parts eaten are roots and especially stalks (blanched and used as celery); related to artichokes

The Cynara scolymus, a plant somewhat resembling a thistle, with a dilated, imbricated, and prickly involucre. The head (to which the name is also applied) is composed of numerous oval scales, inclosing the florets, sitting on a broad receptacle, which, with the fleshy base of the scales, is much esteemed as an article of food.

See Jerusalem artichoke.

Mediterranean thistlelike plant widely cultivated for its large edible flower head

A thistle-like flower head with edible fleshy leaves and heart