American ginseng

(Panax quinquefolius)

Conservation Status

 

No image available

 
  IUCN Red List

not listed

     
  NatureServe

N3N4 - Vulnerable to Apparently Secure

S3 - Vulnerable

     
  Minnesota

Special Concern

     
           
           
 
Description
 
 

The leaves are palmately divided into 5 stalked leaflets. The terminal leaflet and two largest lateral leaflets are widest above the middle.

 
     
 

Height

 
 

8 to 24

 
     
 

Flower Color

 
 

Greenish-white

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
 

Wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) leaf segments are pinnately divided. The lateral leaflets are distinctly asymetrical, the inner (toward the terminal segment) leaflets smaller than the outer (toward the petiole) leaflets.

 
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Deciduous woods. Medium to light shade. Rich soil.

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Flowering

 
 

June to July

 
     
 

Pests and Diseases

 
 

 

 
     
 
Use
 
 

 

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 28, 29, 30.

 
  2/10/2023      
         
 

Nativity

 
 

Native

 
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

Rare due to collecting

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Kingdom Plantae (green algae and land plants)  
  Subkingdom Viridiplantae (green plants)  
  Infrakingdom Streptophyta (land plants and green algae)  
  Superdivision Embryophyta (land plants)  
  Division Tracheophyta (vascular plants)  
  Subdivision Spermatophytina (seed plants)  
  Class Magnoliopsida (flowering plants)  
  Superorder Asteranae  
 

Order

Apiales (carrots, ivies, and allies)  
 

Family

Araliaceae (ivy)  
  Subfamily Aralioideae  
  Tribe Aralieae  
 

Genus

Panax (ginsengs)  
  Subgenus Panax  
  Section Panax  
  Series Panax  
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

 

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

American ginseng

ginseng

Occidental ginseng

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 
  Exclusively Ginseng!
Kerry Wixted
 
  Exclusively Ginseng!  
  Plants in the Habitat of American Ginseng
Madison Woods
 
   
 
About

Published on Apr 15, 2015

Here's the first 5 minutes of my book-on-DVD, American Ginseng & Companions. It showcases the plants of the ginseng habitat and follows them through the seasons, beginning in early spring while there's still snow on the ground. It also includes a chapter on the most common look-alikes that confuse new enthusiasts. The whole DVD or USB can be ordered at shop.wildozark.com. Thanks for viewing! Let me know what you thought.

 

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

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Other Videos
 
  American Ginseng Part 1 Spring Plant
EastWoodlandSurvival
 
   
 
About

Published on Jul 12, 2014

American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in the spring time. I will dig it up in the fall and show the root system and talk about the uses and update on prices. Considered endangered in some areas, harvest with discretion. Thanks for watching and I hope to see you in the woods.

Music By: D.Baird, EWSB, C2014

   
  American Ginseng Part 2 Fall Plant
EastWoodlandSurvival
 
   
 
About

Published on Oct 1, 2014

Foraging for American Ginseng - The Fall Plant. Easier to spot in the fall, the red berries give it away from a distance. As it gets later in the fall, the plant will turn a gold color making it even easier to spot. As with any wild edible/plant/fungus always consult with a local expert before using. Thanks for watching and I hope to see you in the woods.

All Music By: D.Baird (C)2014

   
  wild ginseng with red berries (Panax quinquefolius)
wvoutdoorman
 
   
 
About

Published on Aug 23, 2012

wild ginseng with red berries (Panax quinquefolius)

   
  American ginseng identification video ( Panax quinquefolius)
wvoutdoorman
 
   
 
About

Published on Apr 26, 2012

American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius

   
  Identifying Ginseng and Goldenseal
The Backwoodsman’s Institute
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Oct 11, 2011

The Backwoodsman's Institute presents: Identifying Ginseng and Goldenseal. In this video Scott is still hunting for whitetail deer and comes across some ginseng and goldenseal and decides it's an opportune time to make a video on the characteristics of these plants.

   

 

Camcorder

 
 
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
  Some locations withheld from the public at the request of the Minnesota Biological Society.  
     
   

 

 

Binoculars


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