Photographed this strange looking plant in the garden at the Calgary Zoo.

Thanks, Thistle-Garden, for letting me know that this looks more like Silybum marianum than Cardoon (which is what I had named it). Much appreciated!

"Common names for this species (Silybum marianum) include blessed milk thistle, Marian Thistle, Mary Thistle, Saint Mary's Thistle, Mediterranean Milk Thistle, Variegated Thistle and Scotch Thistle." From Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silybum_marianum