494: Panax quinquefolium. 
paler underneath, and smooth on either side ; they are supported 
by partial footstalks, from a quarter to half an inch in length, flat- 
tened and grooved, and tinged with red at the point of union with 
the general footstalk. The flowers are very small, and borne in a 
globose umbel ona peduncle, at first short, but afterwards becoming 
elongated as the flower advances towards fruit: and when the fruit is 
finally ripe, it attains the length represented in Fig. 7. The involu- 
crum consists of numerous, small, yellowish, pointed leaves, which be 
come reddish when the fruit is mature. The calix is cut into five 
sharp teeth, and is persistent, being generally found on the apex of 
the ripe berry. The corolla is white, consisting of five oval, fugacious 
petals. The stamens in perfect flowers are five in number, crowned 
with heart-shaped anthers ; and the pistils consist of an irregular, 
‘ inferior, oblong or cordate flattened germ, and two persistent 
arcuate styles; though occasionally there are three styles, and often 
but one will be found; in which case the berry will become single, 
and irregularly shaped, as shown in some of those in Fig. 7. The 
berries are of a fine vermillion colour, commonly reniform, with an 
apex or crown, as exhibited in the upper berries of the group in Fig. 
7. and, as there represented, the inner flowers are but just ex- 
panded, while the immature or green berry, and the ripe fruit are to 
be found on the same stalk. It is not uncommon to find abortive or 
barren flowers. : 
Ginseng is not a common plant in the northern and eastern states 
2 
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