Glehnia

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Glehnia
Glehnia littoralis.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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
Synonyms [1]
  • PhellopterusBenth.
  • Cymopterus littoralisJ.G.Cooper
  • Phellopterus littoralis(J.G.Cooper) F.Schmidt

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]

Contents

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+12 feet), with the North American subspecies only reported to reach 6.5 centimetres (2+12 inches). [4] The plant's erect stem is topped with an umbel of carrotlike white flowers.

Chemistry

Naphthisoxazole A Naphthisoxazole A.png
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]

References

  1. "Glehnia littoralis (J.G.Cooper) F.Schmidt ex Miq". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  2. Wu Zhengyi (1983). "On the significance of Pacific intercontinental discontinuity". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden . 70 (4): 577–590. doi:10.2307/2398977. JSTOR   2398977.
  3. "White Flowers". Netarts Bay Today. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Spellenberg, Richard (2001) [1979]. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region (rev ed.). Knopf. p. 340. ISBN   978-0-375-40233-3.
  5. Li G.Q.; et al. (2008). "A new isoxazol from Glehnia littoralis". Fitoterapia. 79 (3): 238–239. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2008.01.002. PMID   18325682.
  6. Tang, Weici and Eisenbrand, Gerhard Handbook of Chinese Medicinal Plants : Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, pub. Wiley-VCH 2011 ISBN   978-3-527-32226-8 Vol.1 pps. 599-600 Glehnia littoralis.