Globe artichoke
1 a plant with large, thistle-like flower heads. [Cynara scolymus.]
2 (also globe artichoke) the unopened flower head of this plant, of which the heart and the fleshy bases of the bracts are edible.

To distinguish them from Jerusalem artichokes (jordärtskocka/ Helanthus tuberosus)

Jerusalem artichokes are the tubers of a plant related to sunflowers. They do have a vaguely similar flavour, but are prepared more like potatoes and are in fact a completely different vegetable.



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Note added at 28 mins (2006-06-13 07:23:21 GMT)
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References: Concise Oxford Dictionary and Skribent/Norstedts stora engelsk-svensk ordbok