Samphire - which Glasswort Species

[Mark Tulley]

Hi,
I have just been to Pegwell Bay, Kent, and came away with a photo of what I hoped was edible Samphire. Looking in my book, I see there are several species of Salicornia so I wondered if anyone can identify this one from the photo. I would guess S. europaea.

I also found Golden-samphire which is quite different.

Mark

[leifus]

It could be S. europaea but i'd wait a bit longer because that is in its prime between august and september

[Mark Tulley]

I might ask for a volunteer to take a look for me - I live 580 miles north of Pegwell Bay

[leifus]

oh...right - maybe you could pop down there for a couple of hours?!?!?

[AlanS]

It is VERY unsafe to attempt to identify a Salicornia at this time of year and from a photograph of a single specimen.

In fact it is very unsafe to attempt to identify a Salicornia at any time.

However, what we can see of the flower structure suggests that the central flower in each group of three is more exposed (exserted from the sheath) than the other two, but not really substantially larger. That would rule out S. europaea, which it doesn't really look like anyhow.

I would say this is most likely to be S. fragilis (Yellow Glasswort).

Alan

[leifus]

Originally Posted by AlanS

It is VERY unsafe to attempt to identify a Salicornia at this time of year and from a photograph of a single specimen.

In fact it is very unsafe to attempt to identify a Salicornia at any time.

However, what we can see of the flower structure suggests that the central flower in each group of three is more exposed (exserted from the sheath) than the other two, but not really substantially larger. That would rule out S. europaea, which it doesn't really look like anyhow.

I would say this is most likely to be S. fragilis (Yellow Glasswort).

Alan

I'm assuming that's very unsafe to identify it and then try eating it???

[Mark Tulley]

So I cannot be certain of the species. I will label the photo as 'S. fragilis ?' and keep my eyes open for other variations.
Yesterday at St Cyrus NR (Angus) we found Prickly Saltwort, Salsola kali (ssp kali ?) which must be closely related to Salicornia. However, it did not look tempting to eat

Thanks for the help, also the very interesting piece on white Red Campion - I must have a look a the seed capsule spines around here.
Mark