Artichoke

The artichoke has groups of purple or white, thistle-like flowers. The artichoke heart and leaves are the plant parts usually eaten. Artichoke can be used as vegetable. The artichoke grows wild in the south of Europe and is grown in the United States, mostly in California. The leaves grow from the base of the stem and are long and spiny. The stem is up to 1 m (3 ft) high, branched, with large violet-colored (sometimes white) flowers. The thick heart and fleshy bases are eaten.