Cardoon, Artichoke Thistle, Cardone, Cardoni, Carduni, Cardi

Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) is a perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It prefers full sun and well-drained, fertile soil, and is moderately frost-hardy in most of New Zealand. Growing 1.5–2 m tall and 1 m wide, it features striking silver-grey leaves and tall stalks of purple thistle-like flowers. Mainly valued as a culinary plant for its blanched stems with a mild artichoke flavour, a cottage garden ornamental for bold, architectural form, a pollinator plant attracting bees, and a medicinal herb supporting healthy digestion and liver function.