The artichoke has been cultivated since ancient times for its edible flower buds.
The wild artichoke appeared naturally in the Mediterranean region, particularly in the coastal areas of present-day Tunisia.
Since then, it has spread throughout the world, being cultivated in many regions with temperate climates.
A herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family, it produces large, pinnate, thorny leaves that can grow up to 1.5 metres high.