Samphire

Samphire, a succulent umbelliferous plant (Crithmum maritimum), growing on rocky sea-coasts whence it was originally known in French as perce-pierre. This was corrupted to Saint Pierre, whence the English name is derived. Its flowers are greenish-yellow, and its leaves are bi-ternate. These last are gathered, before the appearance of the flowers in June, for pickling, and were formerly valued as a digestive. The plant occurs on most European coasts, just above highwater-mark. Its collection for pickling is alluded to in King Lear (act iv. scene 6).