cardoon seed question

are the puffy things on top of the flower any type of seed or are they just protection for the seeds inside?

I've never grown cardoon so don't know the real answer to your question.

However, usually plants that have fluffy stuff (like dandelions) have seeds that are dispersed by wind. The seeds themselves should be at the bottom end of the fluffy stuff, probably encased in a protective coating of some kind.

thank you