Filters:

Rock Samphire Crithmum maritimum 

 
 
Perennial Life CyclePerennial life cycle
Umbrella-Shaped FlowersUmbrella-shaped flowers
Cream FlowersCream flowers
5 Petals5 petals
Jun-Aug Flowering
period
Pinnate LeavesPinnate leaves
Smooth-Edged LeavesSmooth-edged leaves
Ribbed StemRibbed stem
Fibrous RootsFibrous roots
30cmMaximum height
 
 
  Main image of Rock Samphire
© 2021 Adrian Briggs
 

Rock Samphire is a native perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in coastal grasslands and rocky areas, to a mature height of up to 30cm.

Rock Samphire is a coastal plant unrelated to other samphires such as Golden Samphire and Marsh Samphire. The name Samphire is a corruption of the French 'Saint Pierre', patron saint of fishermen, and is a generic name given to several maritime species. Rock Samphire is commonly found on 'rocky' shorelines.

Botanic classification and naming: Rock Samphire is a member of the Carrot (Apiaceae) family. The genus name 'Crithmum' identifies the plant as a Rock Samphire and its species name 'maritimum' means 'coastal plant'.

 
Flower of Rock Samphire

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Flowers:
Rock Samphire usually flowers between June and August.

Flower colour:

Flower Colour Cream

Cream

Flower shape:

Flower Shape  Umbrella

Umbrella

Petals:

Petal Number =  5

5

Leaf of Rock Samphire

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Leaves:

Leaf Shape:

Leaf Shape is Pinnate

Pinnate

Leaf Margins:

Leaf Margin is smooth

smooth

Stem of Rock Samphire

© 2021 Adrian Briggs

 

Stem and Roots:

Stem shape:

Stem Shape is Ribbed

Ribbed

Root type:

Root Type is Fibrous

Fibrous