Crithmum maritimum

Sea fennel or Rock Samphire is an edible, evergreen perennial with a long history history in literature and lore. We love it for its lime-yellow umbel flowers, tasty foliage, and ability to grow in even the toughest conditions.

The glaucous succulent leaves taste like the sea, which makes sense as this plant is native to the English coast where it can be found growing in rocky crevices or in sand. The dried seed pods are quite tasty and can be used like capers.

Zones: 5 to 9

Family: Apiaceae

Type: Perennial

Height: 12 to 24 in.

Spread: 12 to 24 in.

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Conditions: Well-drained, salt tolerant

Bloom Time: August to October

Bloom Color: Yellow

Native Range: stony shores of the Black Sea, sandy dunes, and other hot parts of Northern Africa and Europe

Image Credit:

Image 1 (form) Alex Patak, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Image 2 (bloom) Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons