Heidi Anderson asked:
>
>I'm sorry to post this question on the list, but I can't seem to find any
>information on the subject.  Can anyone tell me where artichokes come
>from.  Supposedly they are related to daisys, but where do they grow,
>what type of climate, anything.  My library has a very limited number of
>books none of which have any information.
>If anyone could give me any information on these plants, or any ideas of
>where else I can look for them, another list, etc.  it would be greatly
>appreciated.  Thanks much
>
>
>Heidi Anderson
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Arie Avidor wrote a pretty neat little capsule history of the modern artichoke

There are actually two commonly used 'artichokes' (the word is a Spanish
rendering of an
Arabic word).

Cynara scolymus is the globe or French Artichoke is a member of genus Cynara.
The Jerusalem
Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) is a member of the sunflower family.

The immature head of the globe artichoke is eaten (generally steamed) each
brach can be pulled
from the thistle like head and dipped in butter or seasoned olive oil, the
softened pulp must
be stripped from the tough brach which is discarded. The heart (actually the
calcyx) is eaten
whole. It is also eaten as a antipasto when cooked (very young) artichokes are
quartered and
preserved in olive oil. A single artichoke plant will yield edible blossoms for
several years.
The globe artichoke was allegedly introduced to Europe by Cathrine deMedici
around 1533. I
suspect it had been in the peasants diet a lot longer then that.

Jerusalem artichokes are the tuberous root of a member of the sunflower family.
They look a
lot like ginger and are eated by steaming, baking, and roasting. The flavor is
very similar to
the globe artichokes heart. They are native to North America and were
introduced to Europe and
China after the European conquest. The only reason I can figure for it being
called
'Jerusalem' is the roots shape often looks like a pilgrims cross.

Both are members of the 'Daisy' Family (Compositae), that however does not mean
they are
'related' in any sense but structural. The compositae family includes all
plants with compound
flowers. This would include lettuce, asters, mustard, daisies, zinnias,
chicory, ragweed, and
marigolds (out of a cast of thousands).

The California Advisory Board has a Web page (rather plain) at :
        http://www.agrisource.com/1179.htm
with a contact person.
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