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samphire

(Science: botany) A fleshy, suffrutescent, umbelliferous European plant (Crithmum maritimum). It grows among rocks and on cliffs along the seacoast, and is used for pickles. Hangs one that gathers samphire, dreadful trade! (Scak)

The species of glasswort (Salicornia herbacea); called in England marsh samphire.

A seashore shrub (Borrichia arborescens) of the west Indies. Golden samphire. See Golden.

Origin: F. L'herbe de Saint Pierre. See Saint, and Petrel.