cardoon

noun

1. a composite plant, Cynara cardunculus, of the Mediterranean area, having a root and leafstalks eaten as a vegetable.

noun

1. a thistle-like S European plant, Cynara cardunculus, closely related to the artichoke, with spiny leaves, purple flowers, and a leafstalk that may be blanched and eaten: family Asteraceae (composites)

n.

1610s, from French cardon, from Provençal cardon, properly “thistle,” from Late latin cardonem (nominative cardo “thistle,” related to Latin carduus “thistle, artichoke” (see harsh).