Missouri Botanical 
Garden Bulletin 
Vol. II St. Louis, Mo., July, 1914 No. 7 
AMERICAN GINSENG 
Numerous inquiries have been made at the Garden con- 
cerning the cultivation and value of the American ginseng 
(Panazx quinquefolium), the root of which, according to 
certain lurid advertisements, is supposed to be “worth its 
weight in precious stones.” This plant grows wild in eastern 
Canada and in all of the states east of the Mississippi with 
the exception of those bordering on the Gulf of Mexico. 
It has also been found in Missouri, Arkansas, and Iowa, but 
usually does not occur abundantly west of the Mississippi. 
Missionaries searching for a plant similar to the Chinese 
ginseng (Panax Ginseng) found the American species in 
1716, and there soon sprang up a considerable export trade, 
which at the present time, including both wild and cultivated 
roots, exceeds a million dollars annually. 
Continuous collecting of the wild ginseng for nearly two 
centuries has gradually depleted the supply, particularly 
since the plants are frequently dug before the seeds mature, 
and consequently the natural replacing of the crop which 
should occur is prevented. It seems probable, therefore, that 
a reasonable profit might be expected from the cultivation of 
ginseng provided the conditions are favorable and one takes 
into consideration the length of time required for maturing 
the roots. Only under especially favorable conditions, how- 
ever, with ability to prevent the ravages of certain serious 
eases, is there much likelihood of ginseng being more profi- 
table than many other crops which might be grown. It has 
been estimated that seven hundred acres in cultivation in 
America would be ample to supply the present demand from 
this country, and there is some danger from over-production 
should a large number of people successfully engage in 
growing this plant. In any case, no one should attempt 
raising ginseng for profit without being thoroughly conver- 
sant ith the difficulties attending its cultivation, and the 
conditions of the market. 
The American ginseng, which is closely related to the | 
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