5.
the Danish Scurvy Grass (Cochlearia Danica)
whose upper leaves are stalked, or the
Common Scurvy Grass (Cochlearia officinalis)
whose upper leaves lack a stalk and whose
lower leaves are cordate at the base, which
means that they are rounded on both sides of
the stalk.
The drier parts of the marsh are
inhabited by the Sea Purslane (Halimione
portulacoides). This plant has a rather
shrubby appearance and is often found along
the higher margins of the creeks. The
leaves are a rather greyish-green colour
which makes them easy to recognise.
In contrast the wetter parts of the
marsh are inhabited by very different plants.
One of the first colonisers of the mud is
the Glasswort. This is the
correct name for members of
the genus Salicornia. The
plants were once collected
and burnt to provide soda
for glass making. It is
often called Samphire because
it is edible although the
real samphire is the Umbelli-
fer used to make pickles
called Crithmum maritinum,
which is rare in Essex. Yet
another plant of similar
culinary fame is the
composite Inula crithmoides
which also is known as
Samphire. Although the
species of Glasswort are
difficult to identify, they
are easily recognised as a
genus by their green, fleshy,
twiglike appearance. If you