samphire
Noun: 1. A fleshy, edible coastal plant that grows on rocks or cliffs, typically having succulent stems and small flowers. It is also known as "sea fennel" or "rock samphire." 2. (Specifically) The plant Crithmum maritimum, whose leaves have a salty, aromatic flavor and are used in cooking, often pickled.
Samphire is used primarily as a noun to refer to the plant itself or its edible parts. * As a subject: "Samphire is a halophyte, meaning it thrives in salty conditions." * As an object: "The chef foraged for samphire along the shoreline." * With modifiers: "Pickled samphire is a traditional accompaniment to fish."
- "We gathered a basket of fresh samphire from the coastal rocks."
- "The salad was garnished with blanched samphire, adding a crisp, salty note."
- "Samphire has been used historically as a source of soda for glassmaking."
- "Marsh samphire": This term often specifically refers to (also called glasswort or sea asparagus), a different but similar-looking succulent plant found in salt marshes. It is also edible and commonly used interchangeably in culinary contexts with rock samphire.
- Example: "Marsh samphire is commonly found in estuaries and is a popular seasonal vegetable."
- Sea fennel: A common synonym for samphire ().
- Rock samphire: A term used to specify , distinguishing it from marsh samphire.
- Glasswort: A name for plants in the genus (marsh samphire), historically used in glassmaking.
- Halophyte: (n.) A plant adapted to grow in saline conditions, like samphire.
- Sea fennel
- Rock samphire
- (For ): Glasswort, sea asparagus, marsh samphire
The primary meaning refers to the edible coastal plant Crithmum maritimum. The secondary, related meaning refers to similar edible succulents like Salicornia (marsh samphire), which share a habitat and culinary use. The historical meaning relates to its use in producing soda ash for glassmaking.
- fleshy maritime plant having fleshy stems with rudimentary scalelike leaves and small spikes of minute flowers; formerly used in making glass