Cynara cardunculus L., Sp. Pl. 2: 827 (1773).
Small, dried artichokes, 5.5-7 cm long, appear in higher end potpourri as “toppers.” The overlapping involucral bracts produce a head (inflorescence) that is nearly globular when fresh but, on drying, becomes longer than wide.
Cynara cardunculus is native to Africa, Western Asia, and Europe but widely cultivated as a vegetable.
Asteraceae (alt. Compositae)
Cynara scolymus L.