Artichoke leaf, also known as Cynara scolymus are the spike-tipped petals of the well known vegetable, the globe artichoke. All of the different species of Cynara look like thistles, because they are tall, spiny short-lived perennial plants whose large flower heads open exposing seeds when the Cynara scolymus goes through its decline each growing season.  Studies show artichoke great for the liver and gallbladder.