The salt marshes of Baie de Somme are home to plants that can live in ground regularly reached by seawater. Samphire is the best known, but it grows alongside other species such as sea purslane, sea aster and annual sea-blite.
This guide helps you understand the habitat and recognise a few common plants. It does not replace a guided outing or advice from a specialist. A photo or short description is not enough before touching, picking or eating a plant.
Information checked in June 2026: this article is intended to help visitors observe salt marsh plants. It does not replace local picking rules or advice from a nature guide.
Good to know: in protected natural areas, stay on authorised access routes and follow the signs on site. For dates, quantities and harvesting rules, use our guide to samphire picking in Baie de Somme.
What is a salt marsh?
A salt marsh, also called a schorre, is a vegetated part of the coast that can be covered by the sea during the highest tides. In Baie de Somme, these areas are also known locally as mollieres. The frequency of flooding, the amount of salt in the soil, humidity and ground level all influence which plants can grow there.
From a path or during a guided outing, you may notice very low, wetter areas, then denser vegetation as the ground rises. This pattern is not perfectly regular, but it helps explain why the same plants are not found everywhere.
Very wet soil Plants must tolerate salt and regular flooding.
Slightly higher ground The sea reaches some areas less often and the vegetation becomes more varied.
Fragile habitat Walking outside authorised routes can damage plants and disturb wildlife.
Four plants often mentioned in salt marshes
Samphire
Samphire has fleshy, jointed stems and no visible leaves like those of a garden plant. It grows in salty, wet areas. Its colour can change during the season, so colour alone is not a reliable way to identify it.
Sea purslane
Sea purslane forms low, small bushes. Its thick leaves often have a grey-silver tone. It is usually found on parts of the salt marsh that are covered less often than the lowest areas.
Sea aster
Sea aster is easier to notice when it flowers, with small daisy-like purple or mauve flowers around a yellow centre. Outside the flowering period, identification needs more care.
Annual sea-blite
Annual sea-blite has narrow, fleshy leaves. Someone discovering the habitat for the first time may confuse it with other plants. The rules that apply to it are not necessarily the same as those for samphire.
| Plant | Simple visual clue | Point of caution |
|---|---|---|
| Samphire | Fleshy, jointed stems | Colour and shape change with the season. |
| Sea purslane | Small bush with grey-silver leaves | Do not rely on one isolated leaf. |
| Sea aster | Mauve flowers with a yellow centre during flowering | Harder to distinguish outside flowering. |
| Annual sea-blite | Narrow, fleshy leaves | Rules may differ depending on the area. |
How do these plants tolerate salt?
Plants adapted to salty habitats are called halophytes. They have features that allow them to live in soil where many other species struggle. Some store water in their fleshy tissues. Others limit the effect of salt through the way their leaves and roots work.
These adaptations explain their unusual appearance. They do not mean the plants can easily be moved or grown elsewhere. They also depend on water movement, sediment and the health of the natural habitat.
Why are salt marshes important for the bay?
The vegetation locally slows the water and traps some sediment. It helps stabilise the ground. Salt marshes also provide feeding, resting and refuge areas for different species living in the estuary.
This ecological role is one reason to stay on authorised routes. Repeated trampling can damage the plants and alter small areas used by wildlife.
Where can you observe them without damaging the habitat?
The simplest option is to choose a guided outing or an authorised route that runs alongside salt marsh areas. A guide can point out differences between plants, explain the effect of the tides and clarify the rules for the area visited.
Avoid entering the bay alone or walking into an area where you do not know the access rules. The tide can cut off some routes and mud can make progress difficult. For a broader outing, our guide to nature in Baie de Somme lists several accessible observation areas.
Can you pick or taste these plants?
The presence of a plant in a guide does not mean it can be picked where you see it. Authorised periods, species and local rules vary depending on the area. Mistakes in identification are also possible.
To discover these flavours without disturbing the habitat, look for local producers, fishmongers, food shops or some markets in Baie de Somme. Ask for the exact name of the product and simple preparation advice.
Frequently asked questions about salt marsh plants
What is the difference between a salt marsh and a beach?
A salt marsh is a vegetated coastal area reached by the sea during some tides. A beach is mainly made of sand or pebbles and has much less vegetation.
Can you identify samphire from a photo alone?
No. A photo can give an initial clue, but it is not enough to confirm an identification before picking or eating a plant.
Where can you observe salt marsh plants in Baie de Somme?
Choose authorised paths and guided outings around the bay. A guide can adapt the route to the tide and to the rules for the area.
Are sea purslane and annual sea-blite types of samphire?
No. They are different plants that also live in salty habitats. Their appearance and any harvesting rules are not the same.
Useful sources: French National Inventory of Natural Heritage, Parc naturel marin des estuaires picards et de la mer d’Opale, Baie de Somme Tourist Office – coast and sea.