Golden samphire
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For other uses of the name samphire, see Samphire.
Golden samphire | ||||||||||||||
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Golden Samphire (inula crithmoides) growing on the Dengie peninsula in Essex, England
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Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
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Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
Inula crithmoides (L.) |
The Golden samphire (inula crithmoides) is a perennial coastal species, which may be found growing on salt marsh or sea cliffs across Eurasia.
Golden samphire has a tufted habit, and the plant may grow up to 1 m tall. It has narrow fleshy leaves and large flower heads, with six yellow petals which may be up to 15 cm across. The flowers are hermaphrodite (self-fertile) and may also be pollinated by bees, flies and beetles.
Young leaves may be eaten raw or cooked as a leaf vegetable.
[edit] References
- ^ The Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe published by Collins 1974