Panax quinquefolius aka American Ginseng

Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng, belongs to the Araliaceae family. This perennial grows in temperate forests of North America. Its native range includes southeastern Canada and the central and eastern United States. It lives in cool woods with rich soil. In North Carolina, it grows in the Piedmont and mountains. Plants reach about 0.7–2 feet [0.2–0.61 metres] tall. Their spread is about 0.7–1 foot [0.2–0.3 metres]. Growth is slow, and seeds allow plants to spread.

Each plant has one upright green stem with no branches. The stem is smooth and has no scent. Three bright green compound leaves form a whorl. Each leaf divides like a hand into three to six leaflets. The leaflets have toothed edges, pointed tips, and rounded bases. Their shape ranges from oval to wider near the tip. Stiff hairs grow along veins near the leaf edges. Leaves turn yellow in fall before they drop.

Small flowers bloom from May to June in an umbel. Each cluster holds ten to twenty tiny flowers. The flowers have five yellow-green petals and a green calyx. They have a scent but make little visual impact. Bright red fruit gives the plant more color later. Clusters of berries show from August through October. Each berry holds two or three white seeds. The fruit draws birds, including songbirds, to the garden.

Grow American ginseng in partial shade or full shade. Light filtered through a tree canopy also suits it. It needs fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. Keep the soil moist, but let excess water drain. Do not let the soil dry out. Its listed hardiness range covers USDA zones 4–8. It fits herb gardens, native gardens, and shaded woodland beds. Naturalized areas also suit its slow spread. Its modest flowers offer little interest for a border. The cited garden sources report no major pest or disease problems.

People have used this plant in herbal medicine for years. Native Americans also used it for a range of purposes. Growers raise it as a medicinal crop in some areas. Leaves and roots can provide tea, and people candy the root. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards. That report does not establish safety for every use. Heavy wild harvest has put pressure on native plants. State and federal rules now restrict harvest in many places. Use cultivated plants rather than digging plants from the wild.