samphire

views updated May 23 2018

sam·phire / ˈsamˌfīr/ • n. 1. (also rock samphire) a European plant (Crithmum maritimum) of the parsley family that grows on rocks and cliffs by the sea. Its aromatic, fleshy leaves were formerly much used in pickles. 2. (also marsh samphire) another term for glasswort.

samphire

views updated May 23 2018

samphire
1. Rock samphire, St Peter's herb, succulent plant of cliffs and salt marshes (Crithmum maritimum, member of carrot family); grows on coastal rocks, and has fleshy aromatic leaves which may be eaten raw, boiled, or pickled.

2. Marsh samphire (glasswort, sea asparagus), Salicornia spp., grows in salt marshes, is salty, and is eaten cooked as a vegetable.

samphire

views updated Jun 11 2018

samphire cliff plant. XVI (samp(i)ere). — F. (herbe de) Saint Pierre ‘St. Peter’s herb'.