Obregonia, the artichoke cactus, is a monotypic genus of cacti, containing the species Obregonia denegrii.
| Obregonia | |
|---|---|
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Tribe: | Cacteae |
| Genus: | Obregonia Fric |
Artichokes were first thought of as a member of the cactus family because of its similarity to the flowers of the agave cactus. Actually, artichokes come from the thistle family – yes, they belong to the same species as star, globe and sow thistles.
Are artichokes a succulent?
Obregonia denegrii Fric. Obregonia denegrii (Artichoke Cactus) is a species of herb in the family cacti. They are succulent plants. They are listed as endangered by IUCN and in cites appendix i.
Artichoke agave resembles an artichoke, as its common name implies. This slow-growing, clumping agave is native to southern Chihuahua and northern Durango in Mexico. It has short blue-gray leaves and grows two to three feet tall and two to four feet wide.
thistles
The artichoke belongs to the same family as thistles, sunflowers, lettuce, salsify, chrysanthemums, and thousands of other species. The true artichoke should not be confused with the so-called Jerusalem artichoke-which did not come from Jerusalem and is not an artichoke.
What kind of plant is an artichoke?
thistlelike perennial
artichoke, (Cynara cardunculus, variety scolymus), also called globe artichoke or French artichoke, large thistlelike perennial plant of the aster family (Asteraceae) grown for its edible flower buds.
What is an artichoke classified as?
The artichoke is the immature flower bud of a thistle. It is eaten as a vegetable and is culinarily classified as such. The plant is a member of the aster family, and the bud is harvested before it blossoms. Artichoke is not an easy vegetable to prepare, and you’ll need to do some work to get to the edible parts.
Why are artichoke cactus endangered?
Artichoke cactus (Obregonia denegrii) is a rare species of flowering rock cactus that is cultivated as a houseplant. The artichoke cactus is rare in the wild, but can be found in small areas of Mexico. this species is endangered due to illegal collecting.
How big do artichoke agaves get?
2-3 feet
How big do Artichoke Agave get? The rosette can span 3-4 feet (. 91-1.21 m.) and grow 2-3 feet (.
Who was the first person to eat an artichoke?
Artichoke origins dates back to the time of the Greek philosopher and naturalist, Theophrastus (371-287 B.C.), who wrote of them being grown in Italy and Sicily. Pedanius Dioscorides (40-90 A.D.), a 1st century A.D. Greek physician of Anazarbus, Cilicia, wrote about artichokes at the time of Christ.
Is agave a cactus?
Agave is a type of succulent, commonly confused with cactus. Remember the rule that all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. The main difference between agaves and cacti is the presence of leaves, cacti do not have them, while agaves do.
Is agave a tequila?
The juice of the blue agave, cultivated primarily in the state of Jalisco, is used to make tequila; other agave species are used to make mezcal, bacanora, sotol, and pulque. There are more than 300 agave species.
Why is my artichoke agave yellow?
Agave plants definitely do need sunlight to grow and thrive, but they can get too much of it. Too much sunlight has the potential to cause the leaves to start drooping. If you are noticing that the leaves are turning yellow, then that’s a sign that the agave plant has been exposed to too much sunlight.
What part of the artichoke is poisonous?
The only part you can’t eat is the hairy choke inside, and the sharp, fibrous outer portion of the leaves. The choke is not poisonous, nor is the tough part of the leaves, but it is a choking hazard, and quite aptly named.
What country eats the most artichokes?
Italy
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of artichoke consumption in 2018 were Italy (394K tonnes), Egypt (319K tonnes) and Spain (196K tonnes), together comprising 54% of global consumption.
Where do artichokes originally come from?
Artichokes are considered one of the world’s oldest foods. They are native to the Mediterranean area and are a member of the sunflower family. The ancestor of the artichoke is the North African thistle, which still grows in the wild today. Artichokes were first harvested by people in the Middle East.
What are the two types of artichokes?
Artichoke varieties come in two primary types: large, round ‘Globe’ artichokes, and elongated, tapered artichokes like ‘Violetta’. The plants share similar growth characteristics, soil demands, and cultural requirements. For information on growing artichokes, click Here.
Are all artichoke plants edible?
Most of the plant is edible, but the portion usually eaten is the immature flower bud in the center, formed before the artichoke blooms.
Do artichoke plants have thorns?
With their tiny thorns, the artichoke’s petals reveal their thistle heritage. The thorns aren’t a problem if handled carefully, and they soften in cooking. Beware of artichokes promoted as thornless.
Is artichoke a plant?
Globe artichoke is an heirloom vegetable grown for its tender, edible flower buds. With their large, silvery-green leaves and thick stems topped with pinecone-like flower buds, artichoke plants add a strong architectural element to vegetable garden plantings.
Are artichoke hearts healthy?
They are nutritious, providing an excellent source of fiber, vitamin K, and folate, a very good source of vitamin C and magnesium, and a good source of manganese and potassium. Artichokes are an excellent source of many phytonutrients, including antioxidants, which work to help protect against many health risks.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.