For other uses of the name samphire, see Samphire

Samphire, or rock samphire (Crithmum maritimum), the sole species of the genus Crithmum, is an edible wild plant found in coastal regions of mainland Britain.

It has fleshy, divided aromatic leaves that have long been regarded as a delicacy in Norfolk and Lancashire. It is now appearing as a garnish in London restaurants.

To prepare it for the table, samphire is trimmed of its hard root, washed and plunged into boiling water for a few minutes. It is often served with a mixture of butter and vinegar but also with butter alone.

By dragging it through their teeth like an over-sized thread of floss, diners pull the green flesh from a hard central stalk.

The flavour is highly reminiscent of asparagus, and samphire is sometimes referred to as "poor man's asparagus" (although that name has also been applied to Good King Henry, Hop shoots as well as the leek).

Apiaceae | Leaf vegetables | Stem vegetables | Halophytes and salt tolerant plants

Meerfenchel | Crithme | Zeevenkel