SC - Apple butter

[Sue Clemenger]

There are a number of possible reasons, but the basic source of the
artichoke label doesn't seem to be very specific.  They are similar to
cardoon which is related to the artichoke and some people, Champlain for
one, seem to think they taste like artichoke hearts.  It is very possible
calling the roots "artichokes" was a marketing ploy.

Unfortunately everything I've seen about the name seems to be apocryphal.
I'll check the OED later.

Bear

> Does anyone know why the entirely different American vegetable got 
> called an artichoke at all?
> 
> David/Cariadoc
> 
>