Cardoon

I found this relative of the artichoke in the Cloister Garden of the Priory of the Order of Saint John, Clerkenwell.

The Order of St John were an ancient religious military Order originally caring for sick pilgrims in eleventh century Jerusalem. Their modern day role is as St John's Ambulance.

There is also a pub called the Jerusalem Tavern just around the corner (extra pic).

In the garden medicinal herbs were grown including St John's wort, something still used to treat depression.

A lovely little Italian fellow came to chat to me as I was looking at the thistles and invited me back next week to visit the museum.