A spring ephemeral herb famous for its medicinal root, valued in Chinese medicine. Heavily over-harvested across the Appalachians; commercial wild ginseng trade is now strictly regulated.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
American ginseng is a species of flowering plant in the ivy family Araliaceae. It is native to eastern North America although its cultivation was successfully introduced to China in 1975. The specific epithet quinquefolius means "five-leaved", which refers to the typical number of leaflets per leaf. It is one of a group of taxa known as "ginseng".
Source: Wikipedia — American ginseng Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Single compound leaf with 5 leaflets (older plants); small green-white flowers in cluster; red berries.
Similar species. Other ginseng species (Asian ginseng, dwarf ginseng). Confused with imitator species sometimes.
Voice. N/A
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Spring ephemeral with single palmate leaf and small white flower cluster. Roots heavily harvested for Chinese medicine market. Slow-growing.
§ Range
Eastern North America
§ Habitat
Mature deciduous forests, rich shaded slopes
§ Threats
Over-harvest for export trade, forest loss, deer browsing.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the american ginseng is currently classified as Vulnerable.
§ What helps
Buy farmed (not wild) ginseng. Don't harvest from wild. Support state regulation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — American ginseng
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Panax quinquefolius
- iNaturalist · taxon 71726
- IUCN Red List — search for Panax quinquefolius
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Panax quinquefolius
§ Sources cited
- USFWS Ginseng Program
- United Plant Savers
- American Herbal Pharmacopoeia
