Crithmum maritimum L. Rock samphire
Rock samphire grows on coastal cliffs of mainland Great Britain, where it was once collected by cliff-hanging entrepreneurs, values for culinary purposes. In 1981 it became protected in the United Kingdom. Crithmum is from the Greek, krithe, meaning "barley," because rock samphire's fruit resembles barley; maritimum means "of the sea." Identification: Plants are 1-2′ (30-60 cm) high, with compound leaves composed of narrow, fleshy leaflets about ½″ (1.3 cm) long. It is said to smell like furniture polish. Very small whitish or yellowish flowers occur in umbels (tight groups). Fruits are ribbed, oval-shaped, and about ¼″ (6.3 mm) long. Edibility: Stems, leaves and seedpods may be pickled, and fresh leaves used in salads. It has a spicy, salty taste. Online References:
Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants The University of Connecticut Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Plant Growth Facilities
Crithmum maritimum description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020. |
Range: Zones 7a-9b:
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