Created: 4/28/2006 10:54:49 AM 
Scottsdale, AZ -- A Scottsdale couple thinks they may have the world's largest artichoke plant growing in their backyard.
"Her name is Seymour, after 'Little Shop of Horrors'," Angela Gerling said.
"It took me well over an hour to count all the artichokes she has on her now."
Angela planted the artichoke last April, when it was small enough to fit in a gallon-sized container. Now, she says it's ten feet in diameter, almost six feet tall, with 43 flowers.
"It's taken over a good portion of the garden, so we've had to shuffle some things around," Darin Lessner said.
The couple has done some research, and says they haven't found a bigger artichoke plant on the record books.
"I can't find anything as large and prolific, with as many artichokes on her," Gerling said.
They're still trying to decide what to do with the monstrous plant. Gerling contacted officials at Scottsdale Community College, home of the Fighting Artichokes.
"I think this college would welcome an artichoke plant," said Dr. Virginia Stahl, Vice President of Student Affairs.
Students adopted the strange mascot in the 1970's, as a protest against expensive sports programs. More than 30 years later, most students view the vegetable with pride.
"It's kind of a claim to fame for our school," said student Tim Saitta. "Maybe we could rally around the world's largest artichoke, who knows?"
For now, Angela and Darin will keep the plant intact, hoping it can land them in a record book.
"Sort of sounds like a silly thing," Darin said. "But by the same token, it would be nice to have a title like that."
KPNX
