Glehnia littoralis aka American Silvertop

Glehnia littoralis is a low plant in the Apiaceae family. It is a perennial, so it lives for several years. Its common names include Bei Sha Shen and American silvertop. Kew lists its native range in the Russian Far East. It also lists temperate eastern Asia, as far as northern Vietnam. Plants For A Future also lists it in western North America. That range runs from Alaska and British Columbia to northwestern California. It grows on sandy shores around Japan. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant grows about 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall. Its small size suits the garden beds Plants For A Future lists. The sources give no spread or details of its leaves. It blooms in June and July. Each flower has both male and female organs. Seeds ripen in July and August. The sources give no more facts about flowers or fruit.

Plants For A Future suggests sun and light soil that drains well. It says the plant can grow in light shade too. It suits sandy soils and loam, even with few nutrients. It prefers moist ground and can grow in salty soil. The listed pH range is mildly acid to mildly alkaline. These traits fit its home on sandy shores. They do not show a need for dry soil. The source gives no firm rating for cold hardiness in Britain. Based on its native range, it may grow outdoors there.

People have used the leaves, stems, young buds and roots as food. Plants For A Future also lists use as a seasoning. It likens the taste to tarragon and angelica. It rates the plant's food value at two out of five. It lists no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. The sources give no separate safety review for pets. They give no details of pests or diseases either.

Records show use of the root as medicine in China and Korea. These uses include treating coughs and migraine headaches. Plants For A Future lists effects on pain, fever and mucus. It also lists uses to fight bacteria and bring on sweat. These claims do not prove that treatment is safe or works. The source rates its value as medicine at two out of five. It lists no other uses and flags no weed risk. Its seed-sowing advice is tentative: little is known for this species. It suggests sowing in a greenhouse. Plants may need shelter through their first winter.