This is that the artichoke looks when it somehow escapes the clippers and the Chief gets to bloom. These delicious "vegetables" are nothing more than large flower buds of a thistle plant (Cynara scolymus). It is not uncommon in San Francisco to see them planted as ornamentals. I'm not sure if "cute" is the right adjective; "Interesting" is probably more like it. Personally, I prefer mine a lot younger, and served with a garlic aioli.
