American
Ginseng
Panax quinquefolius
is indigenous to North America
1
. It grows in rich hardwood forests
in shady, well-drained locations.
1,2
The
perennial grows 1-2 feet tall on a simple, smooth stem with a 1 foot spread.
2,17
The 3 leaves are divided into 3-7 oblong, sharp-toothed leaflets
up to 6 inches long.
17,18
It bears umbel-shaped, greenish white flowers in June-July,
followed by crimson berries, each with 1-3 seeds.
1,18,19
The root is the part of the plant most used medicinally and
is spindle-shaped and fleshy.
2
It grows slowly and does not reach harvest size for 4 years
or more.
1
Collectors can tell the age of the root by counting the leaf
scars on the neck, or rhizome.
18
Currently,
Wisconsin grows the bulk of the cultivated ginseng in the U.S., chiefly
for export to China.
3