Not to be confused with : Jerusalem Artichoke [a plant with similar name but with yellow flowers, with both ray and disc florets, that belongs to the same family, but is in a differing Genus]

There are two varieties :

• Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. cardunculus) has strongly spiny leaves and phyllaries
• Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) lacks the spines on the leaves

The above photos, lacking leaf-spines, are probably the latter, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus.

Some similarities to : Thistles such as Spear Thistle.

Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature : the succulent and edible phyllaries.

Although described as a 'globe' artichoke, the purple inflorescence is not globed, but rather brush-shaped like most other thistles. What is globed is the whole flower-head, including the edible phyllaries. There is indeed a pappus, or 'dandelion-clock' but it is composed of stiff bristles rather than fine hair, is coloured white to brown, purple in lower half, but are heavy enough to just fall off landing nearby rather than be blown by the wind far and wide like many others. They may be carried further by attaching themselves to the fur of a passing animal. Although if the wind is strong enough it may disperse them up to 10m or so.