Glehnia

This article is about the plant in the genus Glehnia. For the medicinal herb, see Saposhnikovia divaricata. For other uses, see Bangpung (disambiguation).

Glehnia is a genus of plants in the carrot family, Apiaceae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Glehnia littoralis,^[2] commonly known as beach silvertop and American silvertop. The genus was named after Russian botanist Peter von Glehn.^[3]

Glehnia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Subfamily:	Apioideae
Tribe:	Selineae
Genus:	Glehnia F.Schmidt
Species:	G. littoralis
Binomial name
Glehnia littoralis (J.G.Cooper) F. Schmidt ex Miq.
Synonyms[1]
Phellopterus Benth. Cymopterus littoralis J.G.Cooper Phellopterus littoralis (J.G.Cooper) F.Schmidt

Description

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 .5 metres (1+1⁄2 feet), with the North American subspecies only reported to reach 6.5 centimetres (2+1⁄2 inches).^[4] The plant's erect stem is topped with an umbel of carrotlike white flowers.

Chemistry

Naphthisoxazole A

The plant contains naphthisoxazole A.^[5]

Taxonomy

Two subspecies exist, one in Asia and one in North America; the latter is named leiocarpa.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to eastern Asia, particularly eastern China, Japan, and far-eastern Russia, and western North America from Alaska to northern California. It can be found on sandy beaches and dunes.^[4]

Uses

The plant is perhaps best known as a Chinese herbal remedy for cough.^[6]