General information about Ginseng

The ginseng has a fleshy aromatic taproot and a long stem topped by leaves.  Counting the leaf scars on the rhizome at the base of the stem allows one to easily detect the age of the plant.  The stem rises from a bud that grows on top of the root.  When the stem dies back in the fall, it leaves behind a leaf scar.  The root actually shrinks as the bud develops.  This shrinking and growing is what produces the wrinkles at the neck of the root.  Each wrinkle is a representation of a growing season.  The older a plant is, the more convoluted the root will become.  As it becomes more convoluted the more it takes on the shapes of the human form. Older plants often bring a higher price when reselling.

American Ginseng is propagated from seeds or small plants.  The most effective soil is one rich in humus, ranging from silt loam to sandy loam in texture and well drained.    It is sensitive to light and does best in shady areas. Young plants will produce one or two leaves. When they are 3-4 years old the leaves increase to 3-6 and have five lobed leaflets.  These leaves form a whorl around a central axis.  At this age the plant will start to have tiny, green flowers that rise from the umbrella-shaped leaf.

The value of the ginseng at market will depend on the type of ginseng, the age of the ginseng at harvest and the amount of ginseng (ginsenocide) in the product.