American Ginseng

Panax quinquefolium

American ginseng is a long-lived, perennial herb which grows in rich, moist, undisturbed and mature woods in neutral soil. Colonies of ginseng are often found near the bottom of gentle south-facing slopes, where the microhabitat is warm and well-drained. In Canada, it occurs in southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec, and is rare throughout this range. The main limiting factors for ginseng are small population size, habitat loss, and over-harvesting. Small populations are particularly vulnerable to changes in the environment. Export of wild roots is banned, but domestic sale and harvest are not regulated.