Panax. ARALIACE^. 287 



The root of this plant is in high estimation among the Chinese as a medicinal article, being 

 an ingredient in nearly all their prescriptions. It was formerly exported in large quantities to 

 Canton, but comparatively little has been sent for the last twenty-five years. Its real medicinal 

 virtues seem to be very feeble. See Bigelow's med. hot. l. c, and Wood <^ Bache's U. S. 

 Dispells, p. 494. 



2. Panax trifolium, Linn. Dwarf Ginseng. 



Root globose ; leaflets 3-5, lanceolate-oblong or obovate-elliptical, sessile on the common 

 petiole ; peduncle much longer than the petioles ; styles and cells of the ovary mostly 3. — 

 Linn. sp. 2. p. 1058 ; Michx. fl. I. p. 256 ; Bat. mag. t. 1334 ; Pursh,fl. \.p. 191 ; Torr. 

 fl. 1. p. 291 ; DC. prodr. 4. p. 252 ; Hook. fl. Bor.-Am. 1. p. 273; Beck, bat. p. 152 ; 

 Darlingt. fl. Cast. p. 182 ; Torr. ^ Gr. fl. N. Am. 1. p. 648. 



Root a round tuber, about half an inch in diameter, buried deep in the ground, pungent to 

 the taste. Stem 4-8 inches high. Leaflets mostly 3, but sometimes 5, from half an inch to 

 an inch or more in length, acutely and unequally serrate. Peduncle mostly rather longer than 

 the leaves. Flowers polygamo-dicecious. Involucre of a few setaceous leaflets. Sterile 

 umbel many- (20 - 40-) flowered, white. Calyx-teeth very minute. Petals oblong, obtuse. 

 Stamens erect. Style solitary : ovary abortive. Perfect umbel few- (4 - 8-) flowered. 

 Petals caducous (sometimes wanting ''). Stamens often wanting. Styles diverging. Fruit 

 obtusely triangular, with 3 elevated ridges on each side, greenish-yellow when mature. 



Moist shady woods, along streams. Fl. April. Fr. May. A very neat and delicate vernal 

 plant. 



