Cynara cardunculus L.: Historical and Economic Importance, Botanical Descriptions, Genetic Resources and Traditional Uses

The chapter begins with a brief etymological discussion, followed by an overview of ancient sources that speak of Cynara cardunculus. According to these testimonies, the domestication of the globe artichoke could have begun in the first century CE. Then the most recent statistics on globe artichoke in the world are explained; they show that, in recent years, its cultivation is spreading even in countries that are not traditionally producers. The chapter also provides the botanical classification and the description of the species, highlighting that three botanical varieties are distinguishable, namely globe artichoke, cultivated cardoon and wild cardoon. The latter is thought to be the progenitor of both the cultivated forms. There is also a remarkable diversity of forms and cultivars of globe artichoke and cardoon, as explained in the paragraph about genetic resources. The chapter ends with a description of the traditional uses of globe artichoke and cardoon.