Puzzles

[Stephenb]

Well done, Mark - it certainly looks like you have photographed the same species. It certainly hails from the Mediterannean countries and grows on waste land and fields, much later in my garden in Norway.

This is a funny vegetable (at least it makes me laugh out loud at the dinner table)....

[Stephenb]

For pickling or relishes I wonder? 

Interesting idea - I might well pickle some and invite you to dinner...

[Ragged Robin]

but we still DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS   

AND WAS THE SEA BEASTY CONNECTION A RED HERRING 

[Stephenb]

Would I do such a thing? I was just trying to help...

Remember, you were halfway there a few posts back. The other part is the name of both a fish and a land creature.... Help?

[Martin Baxendale]

From the look of it, I'd say the sea creature might be the seahorse.

[Stephenb]

Yes, I think we need to rename this plant, Seahorseus baxendaleus perhaps (here I've used an analogy with the fact that the mystery plant's  genus name is similar to the common english name; i.e., the animal/fish creatures)

[Maggi Young]

Puzzled? Yup, I most certainly am!! 

[Gunilla]

Me too! I would love to try this funny vegetable that makes  Stephen laugh out loud at the dinner table  .   "Curiouser and curiouser"

[Stephenb]

You are also invited to dinner!

Here are two other cousins which can be used in the same way (together with our mystery plant):

[Ragged Robin]

Still only have half a clue and wondered if Catfish, Cat's-head, Genus: Catenaria had any connection otherwise I'm clueless

its cousins are even more confusing 

[Maggi Young]

You are also invited to dinner!

Here are two other cousins which can be used in the same way (together with our mystery plant):

Now, these cousins are Medicago types, are they not? 

[Stephenb]

Something tail? - I want to say horsetail but it doesn't look anything like the horsetail plants I know although I see they were used since ancient time for medicinal purposes including hair loss!

This is where you were half right...

[Stephenb]

Now, these cousins are Medicago types, are they not? 

Yes

[Graham Catlow]

After many hours of searching and using some of the cluesand other peoples sugestions I finally came up with what in a google search looks like the answer but I do not see how some of the clues fit but here goes.

Medicago polymorpha

Graham

[Stephenb]

Glad to see that people are taking this seriously! You should get an award for trying! However, although it certainly does resemble the mystery plant and could also be used, it's not a Medicago...