Cardoon
Cynara cardunculus
- Layer 4 · Herbaceous
- Dynamic accumulator
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
Native to the Mediterranean region, it is a very robust herbaceous perennial with silvery foliage and large purple inflorescences. In a food forest, its deep taproot helps to decompact the soil and extract minerals from the subsoil, whilst its flowers support an abundance of pollinating insects.
See which trees the cardoon grows well with
Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.
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Needs
- Water: Low
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Perennial up to 1.5 m
- Mature diameter: 1.2 m
- Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
- Climates: Atlantic coast, Inland / Continental, Hot, dry Mediterranean
Calendar
- January
- February
- March — Planting
- April — Planting
- May — Harvest
- June — Harvest
- July
- August
- September — Planting
- October — Planting
- November — Harvest
- December — Harvest
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: The leaves stimulate liver function and digestion.
Where to buy
Grows well with
Central trees this plant has already been paired with.
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
See which trees the cardoon grows well with
Pick the central tree on your land and see the full guild.
No account needed.
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