Cardoon is the untamed predecessor of the domesticated artichoke & grown for its artichoke flavored leaf stems & ornamentally for their stately look & big purple flowers. Has whitish-green stalks & gray-green leaves. The ribs are large & meaty. Use in soups, salads, & stews - can be sauteed, braised, roasted & broiled. Harvest when young to avoid bitterness. Fruits: 3-6 in. Ht: 3-4 ft. Width: up to 5 ft. Exposure: sun. Maturity: 120-150 days. (Non-GMO)