sam·phire (s m f r )n. 1. See glasswort. 2. An Old World coastal plant (Crithmum maritimum) having fleshy compound leaves and small white flowers grouped in compound umbels. [Alteration of French herbe de Saint Pierre, from Saint Pierre, Saint Peter.] |
samphire [ˈsæmˌfaɪə]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) Also called rock samphire an umbelliferous plant, Crithmum maritimum, of Eurasian coasts, having fleshy divided leaves and clusters of small greenish-white flowers
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants)
golden samphire a Eurasian coastal plant, Inula crithmoides, with fleshy leaves and yellow flower heads: family Asteraceae (composites)
3. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) another name for glasswort [1]
4. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) any of several other plants of coastal areas
[C16 sampiere, from French herbe de Saint Pierre Saint Peter's herb; perhaps influenced by camphire camphor]
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  samphire - fleshy maritime plant having fleshy stems with rudimentary scalelike leaves and small spikes of minute flowers; formerly used in making glassgenus Salicornia, Salicornia - glassworts herb, herbaceous plant - a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests |
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