1. southern European plant having spiny leaves and purple flowers cultivated for its edible leafstalks and roots • Syn: Cynara cardunculus • Hypernyms: vegetable • Member Holonyms: Cynara, genus Cynara 2. only parts eaten are roots and especially stalks (blanched and used as celery); related to artichokes • Hypernyms: vegetable, veggie, veg • Part Holonyms: Cynara cardunculus