Globe artichoke – a vegetable, herb and ornamental of value in central Europe:

SummaryGlobe artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus (L.) Fiori] is an important vegetable from the Mediterranean Basin. There is rich ethno-botanical documentation to show that artichoke has been a valued vegetable species in central Europe since the 16th century. Historically, globe artichoke was described as a refined garden plant with a wide spectrum of use. In the 20th century, it was largely neglected in this region, but has now been re-introduced thanks to modern cultivation technology and the widespread availability of seed-propagated cultivars characterised by having reliable yields and morphological homogeneity. Based on plant biology, genetic resources, and modern growing techniques, we discuss the possibilities for developing globe artichoke production in central Europe as a high-quality resource for the food and pharmaceutical industries in the near future. Globe artichoke is widely considered to be a rich source of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, inulin, anthocyanins, fibre, ...