0 a plant with a round mass of pointed parts like leaves surrounding its flower that are eaten as a vegetable --
The spiny bracts on the flower head were eaten in the past like globe artichoke, and the stems (after peeling) can be soaked overnight to remove bitterness and then stewed.
It is a naturally occurring species that is sometimes considered to include the globe artichoke, and has many cultivated forms.
The edible globe artichoke is usually considered to be an ancient cultigen of this plant.
