The artichoke is a thistle plant in the genus Cynara, and the globe or French artichoke is the most common variety of this green vegetable. They're mostly grown in California, France, Italy, and Spain, and it's a popular vegetable in European cuisines, as well as the U.S. To a novice, a fresh artichoke can look a little intimidating, and the thorny vegetable takes some preparation to get to the meaty heart.