Samphire 1496348 222067380 2008-06-27T12:06:31Z Alaibot 1324179 Robot: tagging uncategorised page [[Image:Norfolk Samphire.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Norfolk Samphire (Salicornia europaea)]] '''Samphire''' is a name given to a number of very different, edible plants, that happen to grow in coastal areas. *'''[[Rock samphire]]''', ''Crithmum maritimum'' is a coastal species with white flowers that grows in the [[United Kingdom]]. This is probably the species mentioned by [[Shakespeare]] in [[King Lear]] - ''"Half-way down, Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade!"'' *'''[[Golden samphire]]''', ''Inula crithmoides'' is a coastal species with yellow flowers that grows across [[Eurasia]]. *'''[[Salicornia|Marsh samphire]]''' is another name given to the edible [[glasswort]]s, genus ''Salicornia''. *'''Samphire''' is commonly used to describe plants from the [[Australia]]n genus of succulent coastal plants ''[[Tecticornia‎]]'', and from the [[cosmopolitan genus]] ''[[Sarcocornia]]''. '''Samphire''' is also the name of a short story by [[Patrick O'Brian]]<br /> '''Samphire Batts''' was the original name of [[Port Clarence]]. ==Etymology== Originally "sampiere", a corruption of the French "Saint Pierre" ([[Saint Peter]]), Samphire was named for the patron saint of fishermen because all the original plants with its name grow in rocky salt-sprayed regions along the sea coast of northern Europe or in its coastal marsh areas. All the plants bearing the name are annuals that begin growing in late autumn and vegetate throughout the winter until the first warm weather arrives. Then the first stems and internodes form and by mid-spring the plant measures 6 to 8 cm. ==Uses== Marsh samphire ashes were used to make '''soap and glass''' (hence its other old English name, "glasswort.") In the 14th century glassmakers located their workshops near regions where this plant grew, since it was so closely linked to their trade. Samphires of all kinds have long been '''eaten''' in England. The leaves were gathered early in the year and pickled or eaten in salads with oil and vinegar. It is even mentioned by Shakespeare in King Lear: :''Half-way down Hangs one that gathers samphire; dreadful trade!'' This refers to the dangers involved in collecting Rock samphire on sea cliffs. ==External links== *[http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/glossary/samphire/ Buying and cooking samphire] [[BBC Good Food]] {{uncategorized|date=June 2008}}