Family: Araliaceae
American ginseng, ginseng
Robert H. Read
Robert W. Freckmann
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Panax: Greek for "all remedy" referring to ancient Chinese belief that the plant was a panacea
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-24" tall forb; stems solitary; roots long, branching like a human torso
Leaves: single whorl of 3, palmately-divided into usually 5 stalked, toothed leaflet turning yellow in the fall
Flowers: white to green, 5-parted; inflorescence a solitary, round umbel from the leaf axils; blooms July
Fruits: red, berry-like
Habitat: shade; woods; in rich soil
Conservation Status: Special Concern
Plants: erect, perennial, 8"-24" tall forb; stems solitary; roots long, branching like a human torso
Leaves: single whorl of 3, palmately-divided into usually 5 stalked, toothed leaflet turning yellow in the fall
Flowers: white to green, 5-parted; inflorescence a solitary, round umbel from the leaf axils; blooms July
Fruits: red, berry-like
Habitat: shade; woods; in rich soil
Conservation Status: Special Concern
Forests of oak and oak-hickory, lowland woods, fields, prairies, oak savannas, roadsides, rocky waste areas, old quarries.
Due to the commercial value of this species, Wisconsin has laws regulating its harvest, transport/shipment, and sale. International trade agreements permit U.S. export of wild ginseng only from those states that can annually show that harvest and export are not harming the wild ginseng resource.
Due to the commercial value of this species, Wisconsin has laws regulating its harvest, transport/shipment, and sale. International trade agreements permit U.S. export of wild ginseng only from those states that can annually show that harvest and export are not harming the wild ginseng resource.
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 10 WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin listed species including state and federal status, photos, etc. USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources: Rare Species Guide; description, conservation, photos, maps, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions
Robert W. Freckmann
Christopher Noll
Botanical Illustration
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Robert H. Read
Robert H. Read
Robert H. Read
Robert H. Read
Robert H. Read
Robert H. Read
Matthew L. Wagner
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration
Robert H. Read
Dennis W. Woodland