Beach silvertop Facts for Kids

This page is about the plant in the genus Glehnia. For the medicinal herb, see Saposhnikovia divaricata.

Quick facts for kids Glehnia littoralis

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Apiaceae
Tribe:	Selineae
Genus:	Glehnia F.Schmidt
Species:	G. littoralis
Binomial name
*Glehnia littoralis* F. Schmidt ex Miq.

Glehnia littoralis is a special plant that belongs to the carrot family. It has a few common names like beach silvertop and American silvertop. In China, it's known as bei sha shen or shan hu cai. This plant was named after a Russian botanist, Peter von Glehn.

Where Does Glehnia Littoralis Grow?

This plant naturally grows in several parts of the world. You can find it in eastern Asia, especially in eastern China, Japan, and far-eastern Russia. It also grows in western North America, from Alaska all the way down to northern California.

What Does Glehnia Littoralis Look Like?

Glehnia littoralis is a unique plant with a long, strong taproot. A taproot is a main root that grows straight down, like a carrot. From this root, a group of leaves grows close to the ground.

Each leaf is made up of several rounded, lobed parts. This means the edges of the leaf sections have rounded bumps. The plant can grow taller than half a meter, which is about 20 inches. Its stem stands up straight and has a cluster of white flowers at the top. These flowers are arranged like an umbel, which looks like an umbrella, similar to other plants in the carrot family.

Traditional Uses of Glehnia Littoralis

This plant is quite famous as a traditional Chinese herbal remedy. People have used it for a long time to help with coughs. It contains a special natural compound called naphthisoxazole A.