Bei Sha Shen, American silvertop

Glehnia littoralis

Physical Characteristics

Glehnia littoralis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Japan. N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Condiment Leaves and stems[105, 116, 174, 177]. Young buds[174]. They are dug out from the sand[174]. Roots[105, 116, 177]. Used as a condiment, resembling tarragon and angelica[46].

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Antibacterial Antipyretic Diaphoretic Expectorant The root is analgesic, antibacterial, antipyretic, diaphoretic and expectorant[174, 176, 279].It is used in the treatment of coughs in China[266]. It is used in Korea in the treatment of migraine headaches[279].

Known Hazards

None known