rock samphire
Crithmum maritimum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (40 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Rock samphire, scientifically known as Crithmum maritimum, is a resilient coastal succulent found clinging to seaside cliffs. Renowned for its salty, intense flavor, this edible herb thrives in harsh, spray-swept environments. Historically prized in culinary traditions, it offers a unique, pungent profile that captures the essence of the ocean.
- Family
- Apiaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Leaves · Volatile Oil
- Common names
- Rock Samphire · Samphire · 2 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Cachrys Maritima · Crithmum Canariense
Names
Common Names
- Rock Samphire
- samphire
- sea-fennel
- sea fennel
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Perejil de la Isla
- Perejil de mar
- Fenoll marí
- Uña de perro
- Perjil de mar
- Peregil de la isla
- Hinojo de mar
- Peregil de mar
- Fenoll mari
- Pastanaga
- Hinojo marino
- Cresta marina
- Pastinaca marina
- Perejil marino
- hinojo marino
German:
- Meerfenchel
- fenouil marin
- Meerfenchel
French:
- Criste marine
- Criste-marine
- Crithme
- Fenouil marin
- Crithme maritime
- passe-pierre
- fenouil marin
- criste marine
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Crithmum maritimumSynonyms
- Cachrys maritima
- Crithmum canariense
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Apiales, it is a member of the family Apiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Crithmum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Apiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Crithmum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations throughout the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is established within Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found in both Germany and the Netherlands. Its distribution also extends to Southwestern Europe, specifically reaching the Baleares. Consequently, this medicinal plant thrives across various climatic zones from the north to the south.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as sea plantain, possesses unique morphological features that contribute to its medicinal properties. Its fleshy, succulent leaves are the most prominent part of the plant, often growing in dense rosettes and exhibiting a distinct salt-tolerant structure. Within these leaves, the plant produces a significant amount of volatile oil, which contains the essential aromatic compounds responsible for its therapeutic effects and characteristic scent.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| volatile oil | Scientific reports (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Crithmum maritimum has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Falcarindiol, Dillapiole, Flavonoids, LIMONENE, P-CYMENE.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Falcarindiol | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Dillapiole | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LIMONENE | Die Nahrung (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| P-CYMENE | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Thymol methyl ether | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (Z)-BETA-OCIMENE | Die Nahrung (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-PHELLANDRENE | Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Carvacrol methyl ether | Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coumarins | Annales pharmaceutiques francaises (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Crithmum maritimum has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Cytotoxic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Crithmum maritimum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Chagas disease, salinity stress.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Chagas disease | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| salinity stress | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| essential oils | Scientific reports (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| chloroformic extract | Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid extract | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |