cardoon

Definition

Any of species Cynara cardunculus of prickly perennial plants which has leaf stalks eaten as a vegetable, related to the artichoke.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French cardon, from Medieval Latin cardon, singular form of cardō, from Latin carduus (“thistle”). Doublet of chard.

Example Sentences

• "Means: m. Void, and emptie places between beds in gardens, reserved for speciall hearbes; such are the spaces left for Cardoons betweene rowes of Onyons."
• "As I have already said, I nowhere saw the cardoon south of the Salado; but it is probable that in proportion as that country becomes inhabited, the cardoon will extend its limits."
• "In the sixteenth century, Ruellius speaks of the cardoon as a food that was appreciated as asparagus is today."