Heirloom-favorite in Italy & Spain. Excellent variety w/thin ribs, almost no thorns & delicate flavor. Close relative of artichoke-both are members of the thistle family-but unlinke artichoke, the parts of cardoon that are eaten are the lvs & flower stalks, not the flower bud. The stalks are blanched & eaten fresh like celery; also tasty batter-dipped & fried. Growth: 4' x 2'. Tolerates part shade but does best in full sun. (Maturity: 63 days)