American Ginseng Panax quinquefolius
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PAN-aks kwin-kway-FOH-lee-us
- Description
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American ginseng is a native perennial found in the temperate nutrient-rich forests in North America. In NC it is found in the Piedmont and mountain areas. Due to its popularity as in herbal medicine, it has been overharvested in its natural habitat and is now strictly regulated in many states and by the federal government.
The flowers are non-showy umbrels and are followed by clusters of bright red berries. It prefers rich, fertile soils in a woodland setting in part shade to shade. It spreads slowly by seeds. It is best used in an herb garden, naturalized area or woodland setting.
No serious disease or insect problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Panax
- Species:
- quinquefolius
- Family:
- Araliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Currently used in herbal medicine. Native Americans used it for various purposes.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and eastern North America
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds are attracted to the fruits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 3/4 inch bright red berries in clusters with 2-3 white seeds. Displays from August to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The umbel is 1/2 to 3/4 inches across with 10-20 tiny individual flowers that are 1/8 inch. Has a 5-toothed green calyx and 5 yellow-green petals. Blooms from May to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- A whorl of three bright green compound leaves divided palmately into 3-6 serrated ovate to obovate leaflets. Tips taper to a point, bases are rounded. Stiff hairs are present on the marginal veins. 3-6 inches long and 1-2.5 inches wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The single erect smooth stem is unbranched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
