Crithmum maritimum - Rock Samphire

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Apiales - Family: Apiaceae

The flat-topped umbels of this seaside plant appear quite late compared to most other members of the family Apiacea - still commonly referred to as the umbellifers.

Description

The flowers of Rock Samphire, a fleshy perennial herb, are

 

The leaves are d coarseltriangular in cross-section and they are sometimes used as a vegetable. When cut or bruised they smell of lemon oil.

A native biennial, hogweed can grow to a height of two metres in favourable conditions.

A related alien plant, Giant Hogweed, is very similar in form but much larger, growing to five metres. This poisonous plant is now causing concern because it is invading river banks in Scotland, England and the east of Wales.