Cynara occurs as genus of about Tenner species of thistle-like perennials in the family Asteraceae, originally from a Mediterranean, northwestern Africa, and a Canary Islands.

Among a coinage therein genus come: Cynara cardunculus is the Cardoon or Artichoke thistle or Uncivilized artichoke, within a bit of pages utilized as a food. These are the most common source of the coagulator utilized instead to rennet in the manufacture of cheese, with a benefit that a cheese is so fully suitable for vegetarians; many southern European cheeses are traditionally manufactured in that way. A eatable World Artichoke can be an ancient cultigen of this plant. As an introduced species in California, it is the major pest. Cynara humilis, the untamed thistle of southern Europe & northerly Africa, traditionally used as a food per Berbers. Prefer C. cardunculus, it can too exist as utilized inside cheese-making. Cynara scolymus is the eatable Globe Artichoke. It differs from either C. cardunculus therein a leaf lobes & inner bracts of involucre come less spinous.