All I can really tell you is, Watsonville (or is it Castroville, I ca never quite remember), California. They are known as the "artichoke capital." If you contact your local Agriculture Commission (every county has one) they should be able to help you further. Watsonville is located south of San Jose, west of Salinas, and north of Monterey, just inland. It has a moderate climate. One of the other major crops grown here are Strawberries. The artichoke's genus and species is Cynara scolymus. It is allied to the Thistle, and should not be confused with the Jerusalem Artichoke which is a species of Sunflower (I guess you could call it a giant Daisey) which has an edible tuberous root. Hope this is helpful, let me know what else you find out. Robyn At 15:00 5/26/96 -0600, you wrote: >Can anyone tell me where artichokes come >from. >Heidi Anderson >[log in to unmask] > >