Crithmum is a monospecific genus of flowering plant in the carrot family, Apiaceae. The sole species, Crithmum maritimum, is commonly known as rock samphire,[1][2]sea fennel[1] or samphire.[1] It is found in parts of the Old World and is edible.
Description
It is a perennial plant growing to 50 centimetres (20 in) in both height and width. The stems are woody at the base, fleshy elsewhere and hairless. The leaves are fleshy lobes. The greenish-yellow flowers are borne in umbels. The fruits (seed pods) are yellow or purple and up to 5–6 millimetres (3⁄16–1⁄4 in).[3]
Distribution and habitat
Crithmum is found on coastlines throughout much of Europe (north to the British Isles), Macaronesia, parts of West Asia and North Africa in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts.
Cultivation
In England, rock samphire is cultivated in gardens,[4][5] where it grows readily in a light, rich soil. In the United Kingdom the uprooting of wild plants is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.[6]
Uses
Rock samphire or sea fennel has fleshy, divided aromatic leaves that Culpeper described as having a "pleasant, hot and spicy taste".[7] The plant can be prepared much like marsh samphire (Salicornia europaea); the stems and leaves should be washed and cooked, while the stems, leaves and young seed pods can be pickled,[3][8] perhaps in salted and spiced vinegar. The fresh leaves may be used in salads. Dried and ground sea fennel can also be used as a salt substitute.[citation needed]
Sea fennel pickle in olive oil or vinegar is a traditional food of Italy (Marche region), Croatia (Dalmatia), Greece, and Montenegro (Bay of Kotor). It is known as Paccasassi del Conero and used as an antipasto, to accompany fish and meat dishes and to garnish pizza and sandwiches.
Nutrition
Sea fennel has nutritional value,[9] and is rich in antioxidants.[10]
In culture
In the 17th century, Shakespeare in King Lear referred to the dangerous practice of collecting rock samphire from cliffs.[11] In the 19th century, samphire was being shipped in casks of seawater from the Isle of Wight to market in London at the end of May each year.[12] Rock samphire used to be cried in London streets as "Crest Marine".[5]
The reclaimed piece of land adjoining Dover, called Samphire Hoe, is named after rock samphire. The land was created from spoil from the Channel Tunnel, and rock samphire used to be harvested from the neighbouring cliffs.[citation needed]
^Romojaro A, Botella MÁ, Obón C, Pretel MT (2013). "Nutritional and antioxidant properties of wild edible plants and their use as potential ingredients in the modern diet". Int J Food Sci Nutr. 64 (8): 944–52. doi:10.3109/09637486.2013.821695. PMID23944868.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Shakespeare, William (1623). The Tragedy of King Lear. London. Act IV, scene VI, lines 14b-15. "Half-way down, Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade!"
^Grigson, Geoffrey (1958). The Englishman's Flora. London: The Readers' Union, Phoenix House.
