Rock Samphire (Crithmum maritimum)
Rock Samphire
(Crithmum maritimum)
Much foraged in many coastal areas, Rock samphire is becoming more popular again.
Rock samphire is a small shrubby member of the umbelifera family that naturally grows on the rocky edges round our coast above the tidal line. Although tolerant of these conditions it does not however require a salty soil so is easy to grow in well drained conditions and of course would be a useful addition to any rock garden, preferring to be dry with plenty of sunshine.
Much used in the past, the fleshy leaves were cooked as a veg for fish, sea food and eggs, with the whole plant and young seeds made into pickles.
Please note; this is not
'marsh' samphire
(Salicornia europaea), a native of our salt marshes and a plants that is more difficult to grow in cultivation.