2008

SM7932 : Rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum)

taken 16 years ago, near to Porthgain, Pembrokeshire/Sir Benfro, Wales

Rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum)
Rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum)
This plant, with the fleshy leaf spikes and knobbly greeny-yellow flowers growing in the crevice behind the sea campion in the foreground, was the one whose perilous collection from the sea cliffs Shakespeare described as a 'dreadful trade'. It has long been used as a pickling vegetable and was once supplied in large quantities to London markets. Nowadays it has been rediscovered by wild food enthusiasts, for example see LinkExternal link (Archive LinkExternal link )
It is sometimes confused with the marsh samphire or glasswort (Salicornia sp.) that may be seen on fishmongers' slabs.
The name samphire comes from the French 'herbe de St Pierre' because of its rocky habitat, and by further association it was deemed beneficial for kidney stone ailments! It is in fact a succulent member of the carrot family, adapted for arid conditions.

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Category: Plantlife
This photo is linked from: Galleries: · Edible wild plants and fungi Automatic Clusters: · Sea Cliffs [2] ·
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SM7932, 15 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Natasha Ceridwen de Chroustchoff   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Tuesday, 19 August, 2008   (more nearby)
Submitted
Thursday, 21 August, 2008
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SM 799 322 [100m precision]
WGS84: 51:56.7020N 5:12.1633W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SM 799 322
View Direction
Northeast (about 45 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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