Seasonal and geographical adaptation of crithmum maritimum L.: Variations in inorganic content

Samples of Crithmum maritimum L., were analyzed for their trace metal contents and cation contents at different seasons and from three different areas. Soil samples were also studied, in order to establish the correlation between the metal content and the natural conditions of growth.

The level of the nine analyzed cations vary both with the seasons and the areas under study. Calcium is very abundant in the Mediterranean samples which grow on limestone cliffs, lead is also quite abundant, so for food use it is not recommended to sample Crithmum maritimum L. in this area. As an example for 100g of fresh plant, lead contribution to the diet would be of about 70% of the daily admissible amount fixed by the FAO‐WHO (1970).

Key words:

• Crithmum maritimum L
• alkali contents
• trace metal contents
• seasonal variation
• geographical variation