American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, is native to eastern North America and can be found in rich woodlands from Quebec to Alabama, west to Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. A member of the Araliaceae family, it is an herbaceous perennial and grows as an understory plant in densely shaded deciduous hardwood forests. Ginseng emerges in late April from a dormant bud on the upper end of the root. The plant grows to a height of twelve to twenty-four inches and has three compound leaves, with five toothed leaflets, that are joined at the top of an erect stem. Greenish-white flowers bloom in late spring or early summer. Green berries follow and ripen to red by late summer.
There are three different methods of growing ginseng. Wild
simulated describes ginseng grown in the forest with little or no maintenance, taking more years to harvest, but often bringing in a comparable price to wild harvested material.
Woods grown ginseng describes the method of planting ginseng in the woods, in prepared beds, using the forest trees as a natural canopy. This type of ginseng sells for substantially less than wild harvested or wild simulated roots but produces a larger crop much faster. Field grown ginseng is cultivated in beds and grown under an artificial shade structure. This method produces the highest yields in the shortest period of time, but the market value is
the lowest.
*Growing instructions included with seed order.
MoonBranch Botanicals specializes in offering the highest quality fresh and dried botanicals, teas and live plants native to the great eastern hardwood forest of North America.
Please note: Plants native to temperate climates, especially those shipped bare-root, are generally best transplanted during the cooler months (October - March) while in or near a state of dormancy. While we make every attempt to ship as needed by our customers, please realize that there is a greater risk of transplant loss during the hot Summer months. Also realize that many species may lose their above ground portions the current season while the roots remain alive, producing new growth the following Spring.
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