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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - raw or cooked[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Vaguely reminiscent of fennel, but the taste is more bitter and brackish[8]. A powerful salty flavour, it has been described by one person as tasting like 'a mixture of celery and kerosene'[9]. The leaves are used as a flavouring in salads etc[8]. Gathered in spring, the young leaves when sprinkled with salt and boiled make a very good pickle[2]. The leaves are rich in vitamin C[9]. Seed pods[2][3][4][5]. They are used to make a warm aromatic pickle[1].

Leaves

Seedpod

Material uses

An essential oil from the plant is used in perfumery[4].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Rock samphire is little used in herbal medicine, though it is a good diuretic and holds out potential as a treatment for obesity[10]. It has a high vitamin C and mineral content and is thought to relieve flatulence and to act as a digestive remedy[10].

The young growing tips are carminative, depurative, digestive and diuretic[4][9]. They are gathered when in active growth in the spring and used fresh[4][9]. The leaves have the reputation for helping people lose weight and so are used in treating cases of obesity as well kidney complaints and sluggishness[9].

The essential oil is a digestive, a few drops being sprinkled on the food[4].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[11]. Sow in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[12]. Germination usually takes place within 3 - 6 weeks at 15°c[12]. One report says that the seed only has a short viability and should be sown as soon as it is ripe[9], but it has germinated well with us when sown in April in a cold frame[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring[9].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Crithmum maritimum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist light sandy or gravelly soil, doing very well between stones or by a south-east facing wall[7]. Requires a warm dry well-drained sunny position and shade from the midday sun[11][13]. Requires saline conditions[13]. Plants are best grown in moist salty soil or a very well-drained poor dry soil.

When grown away from the coast, this plant requires a warm sheltered position and some protection in cold winters[9].

At one time this plant was sometimes cultivated in the vegetable garden[1], though it is quite difficult to do this successfully[11][7]. It is difficult to grow outside its natural habitat[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Crithmum maritimum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Crithmum maritimum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Crithmum maritimum
Genus
Crithmum
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Salinity
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
Fertility
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.2 Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2 ()
  6. ? 6.06.1 Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8 ()
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.2 Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.59.69.79.89.9 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  14. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

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