It is a weed, also known as cardoon, also known at artichoke thistle. It has been around long enough that Homer cited it in the Iliad, as a fuel, no less. That is, according to Nicolas Danalatos of the University of Thessaly in Greece, who touted it as a prime source of biofuel.

Among its benefits, he pointed out that it needs no weed killers, "because it is a weed." He said it also requires no pesticides, will grow without irrigation, and is a perennial. He said in diesel equivalence, it costs one fifth the price.

He also said it costs 6.6. euros per gigajoule, but about there, he lost me. Still, it sure sounds like it beats corn.