Artichokes Are Actually Flowers, And Here's Proof

Have you ever sent someone a bouquet of artichokes?

It's worth considering, but it might be a little strange, seeing as how artichokes look like THIS WHEN THEY'RE BLOOMING:

Well, they don't bloom that fast because that's a time-lapse video. It's still terrifying, though.

Artichokes, which are also called globe or French artichokes, are a large perennial plant native to the western and central Mediterranean region, and cousins to chrysanthemums, dahlias and sunflowers  (Jerusalem artichokes, which are tubers , aren't really artichokes at all).

The long leaves of the artichoke plant were used in the medieval era, likely for medicinal purposes as they are sources of antioxidants; the Italians started using the artichoke head and heart in dishes as early as 1400 .

To grab the part of the artichoke you'd want to eat, you'd pick the bulb before it blooms , then take it home and either bake, boil or steam it -- see images of flowering artichokes, as well as our favorite recipes to use them, below.