The globe artichoke is a thistle-like crop plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. The globe artichoke originates from the Mediterranean area; today it is cultivated all over the world.
The flowers of globe artichokes are an important component of the Mediterranean diet. The edible parts are the large immature flowers [more formally referred to as capitula or heads], harvested in the early stages of their development.
The life cycle of globe artichoke begins with flat, grayish seeds, from which large, thistle-like leafy plants develop. They produce edible green buds. If left unharvested, that bud transforms into a massive, vivid purple-blue flower [see today’s photograph} which eventually develops a fresh crop of seeds