Called "cardo" locally ..

Is this Cardoon then? or Artichoke called Cardo? See what I mean about those leaves? !Gorgeous!

Cardo, (cinara cardunculus - looked it up!) looks more like celery and has tougher, thicker and furrier leaves than the artichoke (cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus). I ony know their difference through cooking them -

It was most popular as a vegetable in Britain in the 1800's...by what I've read... bought seeds from a Herb Co. ~ Richters Herbs...in Goodwood, Ontario. they have a great website...They grew HUGE and looked just wonderful... a show stopper! Great piece of exotica...I think I shall try them with the Castor Bean! These are the leaves that decorate Roman friezes..and capitals...and illuminated manuscripts... recognizable by the twist of the leaf tip! A thing of beauty, for sure!