Cynara cardunculus

9.9

A plant from southern Europe with spiny leaves and purple flowers, grown for edible stalks and roots

noun

Specialized

: alcachofa de Jerusalén

Have you ever tasted Cynara cardunculus dishes?

Examples

Experts say that Cynara cardunculus can be blanched to reduce its natural bitterness before eating.
Gardeners in southern Europe sometimes grow Cynara cardunculus for its ornamental purple flowers.
The thick stalks of the Cynara cardunculus are often used in Mediterranean cooking.
The Cynara cardunculus is often grown in Mediterranean gardens.
The chef used Cynara cardunculus to create a delicious dish featuring its tender leafstalks.
Many people enjoy braising Cynara cardunculus leaves as a unique addition to their culinary repertoire.
Cynara cardunculus, also known as cardoon, is often grown in Mediterranean gardens for its ornamental and edible qualities.

Synonyms

cardoon

vsCynara cardunculus

1 9.9

A Mediterranean plant related to the artichoke with thick edible stalks and roots

is the scientific name for the same plant

Surface Forms

Cynara cardunculus singular

Cynara cardunculuses plural

Morphology

Cynara + cardunculus

This is a Linnaean binomial (genus + species): knowing 'Cynara' as a genus that includes artichokes and cardoons would allow a learner to infer this is a kind of plant in that group, so there is some compositional cue. However, the species epithet 'cardunculus' is not a transparent English word and the detailed botanical description (southern European, spiny leaves, edible leafstalks/roots) requires specialized knowledge, so the full meaning is not predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Cynara cardunculus may come from old words where Cynara means 'artichoke' and cardunculus means 'small thistle'. So the name paints a clear picture of a thistle-like plant with edible stalks, which is why the word is used for the food plant we call 'cardoon' today.