Artichokes are a perennial thistle originating in Southern Europe around the Mediterranean.  The globe artichoke grows to 1.4 meters (4.6 ft) to 2 meters (6.6 ft) tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery glaucous-green leaves 50 centimeters (20 in) - 82 centimeters (32 in) long. The globe artichoke flowers develop in a large head from an edible bud about 8 centimeters (3.1 in) to 15 centimeters (5.9 in) diameter with numerous triangular scales; the individual florets are purple. The edible portion of the globe artichoke buds consists primarily of the fleshy lower portions of the involucral bracts and the base, known as the "heart"; the mass of immature florets in the center of the bud is called the "choke" or beard. These are inedible in older larger flowers.