# rock samphire (*Crithmum maritimum*)

Rock samphire is a tasty green plant that grows by the sea. It has crunchy leaves and a salty flavor, making it a fun snack for adventurous eaters!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Coastal areas

![rock samphire](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Crithmum_maritimum.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Júlio Reis ( Tintazul ), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crithmum_maritimum.jpg)

## Appearance

The rock samphire has succulent, fleshy, blue-green leaves resembling finely-cut dill or fennel, which makes it distinct. It grows in dense clumps, producing umbrella-shaped clusters of tiny yellowish-green flowers, contrasting with its cool-toned foliage.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Apiales
- **Family:** Apiaceae
- **Genus:** Crithmum

## Interesting facts

- Ancient sailors packed it for voyages to avoid sickness on long journeys!
- Even its seeds are super travelers – they can float on ocean currents to find new homes!
- Its 'samphire' name might come from Saint Pierre, the patron saint of fishermen!
- Some people call it 'sea fennel' because it tastes a bit like fennel, but it's not related!

## Special abilities

- **Salt Guardian:** Rock samphire can thrive in salty sea spray and soil, an amazing adaptation that helps it survive harsh coastal environments.
- **Rocky Anchor:** This plant has strong, deep roots that help it cling securely to narrow cracks in rocks, defending against strong winds and waves.
- **Water Pocket:** Rock samphire has fleshy leaves, which allows it to store precious fresh water, helping it survive dry spells on exposed cliffs.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-50 cm
- **Spread:** 10-40 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Helps spread its pollen between plants.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
- **Eats:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Harvested by people for culinary use.

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
- [Salt Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/salt-tolerant): Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Spice](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spice): This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents.
- [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before trying new plants to eat.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify rock samphire?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is rock samphire?

10-50 cm

### How wide does rock samphire spread?

10-40 cm

### How big are the flowers on rock samphire?

0.2-0.5 cm

### When does rock samphire bloom?

Summer

### Is rock samphire edible?

Yes

### Is rock samphire toxic?

None

### What is rock samphire's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Cabrera Archipelago National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrera-archipelago-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park
- [Mondragó Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mondrago-natural-park) — Illes Balears, ES · Park
- [Sóller Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/soller-botanical-garden) — Illes Balears, ES · Park
- [Cap de Creus Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cap-de-creus-natural-park) — Cataluña, ES · Park

[View all places to see rock samphire](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rock-samphire)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Rock Samphire: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rock-samphire)