Quick facts
| Arabic name | الخرشوف |
|---|---|
| English name | Globe Artichoke |
| Scientific name | Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus |
| Family | Daisy family (Asteraceae) |
| Plant type | Perennial plant |
| Height | 1 to 1.5 m |
| Water use | Medium |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
September to October
Harvest time
February to April
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A big plant with long silvery divided leaves. It makes big green flower buds with fleshy scales.
Where it grows
Grown in small numbers in farms with a cool winter, such as Tabuk, Al-Jouf, Hail, Al-Qassim and Riyadh.
Soil
Needs deep, rich, well-drained soil.
Water and irrigation
Regular watering in the growing season.
Climate and light
Likes a mild winter and struggles in summer heat.
Propagation
From offshoots or seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Buds are nutritious and rich in fiber
- Purple flowers are pretty if left to bloom
Drawbacks
- Needs a lot of space
- Weak in strong heat
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus
- Wikipedia: Artichoke
- FAO Crop Calendar - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)