Prickly samphire, Sea Parsnip
Echinophora spinosa
Family: Apiaceae
What it is like
A short hairy herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are divided 2-3 times with leaflets along the stalks. They are rigid. The lobes are thick and grooved above. There are spines at the tip. The flower umbels are white. There are 4-8 hairy rays. There are 4-8 narrow bracts. The fruit are egg-shaped with indistinct ridges.
Where it is found
It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows on coastal stands.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, North Africa, Sicily, Spain
How it is used for food
The roots are eaten and have a parsnip like flavour. Caution: The leaves and roots should not be eaten in large amounts.
Edible parts
Roots, leaves, caution