FENNEL 'Sea' --Crithmum maritimum--

Lone Star Nursery Verified independent store

→

AKA "Rock Samphire", botanical synonyms Cachrys maritima and Crithmum canariense. Perennial aromatic herb around 1' tall in spreading clumps, with fleshy divided leaves and white o r yellowish flowers. Developed on the seacoasts of Europe, but thrives in most sunny places. This herb, loved since at least medieval times, has been described as crisp, fresh, salty, citrus-like, warm, aromatic, and spicy. Great used in salads, with meat, as a cooked potherb, and the leaves and young seedpods can be salted, boiled, and covered with vinegar and spices to make pickles. Dried and ground leaves can be used as a salt substitute. Its habitat on sea cliffs prompted Shakespeare to write: "Half way down hangs one that gathers Samphire; dreadful trade!"—Shakespeare, King Lear. Thrives in rocky and poor soils that are sharply drained Show more