Rock samphire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Samphire |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Crithmum
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| Species: |
maritimum
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Rock samphire, also called sea fennel, is a special type of plant. It's the only plant in its group, called Crithmum. It belongs to the carrot family, just like carrots and parsley! You might also hear it called just "samphire." But be careful, because other plants that grow by the sea are sometimes called samphire too.
Sea fennel is a wild plant that you can eat. It grows along the coasts in many parts of Europe, like the British Isles. You can also find it in places like West Asia and North Africa. It loves to grow near the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Black Sea.
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History and Growing Rock Samphire
People have known about rock samphire for a long time. In the 1600s, a famous writer named William Shakespeare wrote about it. In his play King Lear, he mentioned how dangerous it was to collect samphire from high cliffs. He wrote, "Half-way down, Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade!"
In the 1800s, rock samphire was a popular plant. People would ship it in big barrels of saltwater from the Isle of Wight to London. They sold it in the streets of London, calling it "Crest Marine."
Today, some people grow rock samphire in their gardens. It grows well in light, rich soil. But in the United Kingdom, it's against the law to dig up wild plants. This rule helps protect nature.
There's even a place near Dover called Samphire Hoe. This land was made from the dirt dug out when building the Channel Tunnel. It was named after rock samphire because the plant used to grow on the cliffs nearby.
Cooking with Sea Fennel
Rock samphire, or sea fennel, has thick, green leaves. They have a strong, pleasant smell. A writer named Nicholas Culpeper once said they have a "pleasant, hot and spicy taste."
You can eat the stems, leaves, and even the seed pods. Many people like to pickle them in hot, salty, spiced vinegar. You can also use the fresh leaves in salads.
Pickled sea fennel is a traditional food in some countries. People in Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Montenegro enjoy it. In Italy, it's known as Paccasassi del Conero. They eat it as a starter, with fish or meat, or even on pizza and sandwiches.
Some cookbooks, like those by Richard Mabey, share recipes for rock samphire. But sometimes, people get it mixed up with another plant called marsh samphire.
Special Qualities of Sea Fennel
Sea fennel is not just tasty; it's also good for you! It has many healthy things inside it. It is rich in antioxidants, which are good for your body.
See also
In Spanish: Hinojo marino para niños
