Cardoon/Purple Artichoke Thistle (Seeds)

The Cardoon, also known as the artichoke thistle, is a fascinating plant with both culinary and medicinal significance. The wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is a stout herbaceous perennial plant that grows between 0.8 to 1.5 meters (31 to 59 inches) tall.
 
Its leaves are deeply lobed, heavily spined, and green to grey-green tomentose (hairy or downy), reaching up to 50 centimeters (20 inches) in length. The flowers are violet-purple and appear in a large, globose, massively spined capitulum (flower head) up to 6 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter. Cardoon is adapted to dry climates and is native to the Mediterranean region, where it was domesticated in ancient times and still occurs as a wild plant. Interestingly, it is related to the globe artichoke.
 
Cultivation
There are two main cultivar groups:
Cardoon Group: Selected for edible leaf stems.
Scolymus Group (Artichoke): Selected for larger edible flower buds.
Cultivated cardoons and artichokes are genetically similar and fully interfertile. Humans have selectively bred them for larger size (up to 2 meters tall), reduced spines, thicker leaf stems, and larger flowers to enhance crop yield and ease of harvest. The earliest description of the cardoon dates back to the fourth-century BC Greek writer Theophrastus, although its exact identity remains uncertain.
 
Nutritional and Medicinal Value:
Cardoons are recognized as a good source of potassium, calcium, and iron. They have become important medicinal herbs due to the discovery of cynarin, a compound found in artichokes and cardoons.
 
In summary, the cardoon is not only a delightful addition to Mediterranean cuisine but also a valuable herb with potential health benefits.