AIVTICHOKE (It. arcicioeco, dial. carcioeco, care/GIN; Sp, a/en[r]chofa. from Ar. al-horshaf, al-];hursl+rifl. The true French or globe arti choke, eynara scolym us, is a thistle-like peren nial plant, now growing wild in the south of Europe. but probably a native of Asia. The genus Cynara belongs to the natural order Com posibe and is distinguished by the bracts of the involucre being fleshy at the base, and emargi nate. with a hard point, and the receptacle fringed. rynara scol ne us has the radical leaves 3 to 4 feet long, somewhat spiny; some of them pinnat itid, some undivided. The stem is 2 or 3 feet high, branched, with large heads of violet colored (sometimes white) thistle-like flowers at the summits of the branches. The globe arti choke is prized as a vegetable, especially in Europe. Though long known in the United States, it has never become generally used. The thickened receptacle and scales of the involucre of the immature flower is the portion eaten. A
favorite method of cooking is to boil in salted water, and serve with melted butter or a white sauce. In Europe it is also eaten raw as a salad. Several varieties are in cultivation, differ ing in the more or less spiny leaves, and the more or lees globose form of the head. Artichokes are generally propagated by rooted slips or suckers in spring. These are planted in rows about 4 feet apart, and 2 feet apart in the row. The artichoke bed continues productive for several years. Seaweed is an excellent manure. The :Jerusalem Artichoke is a different plant. Con sult: "Bur or Globe Artichoke," United States Depart meat of Agriculture Year Book, 1899, eireular .31 (Washington. 1499) ; L. II. Bailey, rvelopa•ia of 'Inlet-lean hurt lt arc (New York. 1900-02) ; G. Nicholson. The Illustrated History of Gardening (London, 1888) ; and see ARTICHOKE, JERUSALEM. For illustration, see A RAUCARIA.