Cardoon

Description:

The wild Cardoon is a robust herbaceous perennial plant, about 1 to 1,5 m in height. It sports deeply lobed and heavily spined green to grey-green stout leaves with spines; with violet-purple flowers thistle-like flowers. Interesting here is that this flower grew from a totally dried plant.

Habitat:

Wild Cardoon is the plant of dry climates and habitats, native to Mediterranean basin. Here, observed on a semi-dry escarpment in urban setting, center of Dubrovnik, close to one of town parks, a parking place and a stony beach.

Notes:

Edible plant and appreciated locally (Mediterranean cuisine, cuisine from Lyon): flower buds are sometimes eaten like small artichokes, while inner white stalks can be prepared by braising them in cooking liquid (gratin).