Artichoke

Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus

1. Identification and origin

Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus (L.) Hegi is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family, known as artichoke. It is native to the Mediterranean region, where it was domesticated from the wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.). The crop spread to Europe, America and regions with a Mediterranean climate, being valued for the immature flower heads used in food.

2. Economic importance

The artichoke is a high commercial value vegetable, consumed fresh, canned or frozen. It is important in intensive horticulture systems, especially in Mediterranean countries. The economic interest also derives from the content of bioactive compounds, such as cynarin and antioxidants, which add value to the product for the food and nutraceutical industry.

3. Botanical characterisation

Vigorous perennial herbaceous plant, with a robust habit and large, deeply lobed leaves, of greyish‑green colouration. The immature flower heads constitute the edible part, formed by fleshy bracts and an inner receptacle (“heart”). The flowers are blue‑violet when open. The plant reproduces by seeds or, more frequently, by division of vegetative shoots.

4. Soil and climate requirements

It adapts to Mediterranean climates, with mild winters and dry summers. It prefers moderate temperatures (15–25 °C) and is sensitive to severe frosts, which damage the flower heads. It requires deep, fertile, well‑drained soils rich in organic matter, with a pH between 6.5–7.5. It needs regular irrigation, especially during the formation of the flower heads, avoiding waterlogging.

5. Main pests

• Aphids (Aphididae): cause deformations and may transmit viral diseases.
• Whitefly: Aleyrodidae causes weakening and sooty mould.
• Noctuid caterpillars: perforations and damage to the young flower heads.
• Mites (Tetranychidae): silvering and reduction of the photosynthetic area.
• Opportunistic weevils and beetles: damage to leaves and shoots.

6. Main diseases

• Powdery mildew: Leveillula taurica causes chlorotic spots and powdery mycelium.
• Root rots: Phytophthora and Pythium associated with waterlogged soils.
• Alternaria blight: Alternaria spp. causes foliar necrosis.
• Botrytis: Botrytis cinerea causes rots in conditions of high humidity.
• Various viral diseases: mosaics and deformations, transmitted by aphids.

7. General cultural management

It includes the use of healthy seedlings or vegetative shoots, planting in fertile and well‑drained soils, regular irrigation without waterlogging, weed control and monitoring of pests and diseases. The periodic renewal of the plants (every 3–4 years) maintains productivity. Harvesting should be carried out before the opening of the bracts, ensuring commercial quality.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Cynara cardunculus
• CABI – Crop Factsheets – Cynara cardunculus
• Rubatzky, V. E., & Yamaguchi, M. (2012). World Vegetables. Springer.
• Kays, S. J. (2011). Cultivated Vegetables of the World. Wageningen Academic Publishers.
• FAO – Technical documents on vegetable production.
• Lattanzio, V. et al. (2009). Artichoke and cardoon: botany, chemistry and pharmacology. Phytochemistry Reviews.