Genus GlehniaF.Schmidt Higher classification Glehnia | Scientific name Glehnia littoralis Rank Species | |
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Similar Carex kobomugi, Ladybells, Lysimachia mauritiana, Calystegia soldanella, Saposhnikovia | ||
Glehnia is a genus in the carrot family, Apiaceae, with one species, Glehnia littoralis, known by several common names including beach silvertop and American silvertop in English, and bei sha shen (Chinese: 北沙參) and shan hu cai (Chinese: 珊瑚菜) in Chinese. The genus was named after Russian botanist Peter von Glehn.
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glehnia littoralis
Distribution
It is native to eastern Asia, particularly eastern China, Japan, and far-eastern Russia, and western North America from Alaska to northern California.
Characteristics
It is a long-taprooted plant forming a basal patch of leaves, with each leaf made up of several rounded, lobular segments. It reaches a maximum height exceeding half a meter and its erect stem is topped with an umbel of carrotlike white flowers.
Medicinal uses
The plant is perhaps best known as a Chinese herbal remedy for cough. It contents naphthisoxazole A:
