American ginseng is a native perennial found in the temperate nutrient-rich forests in North America. In NC it is found in the Piedmont and mountain areas. Due to its popularity as in herbal medicine, it has been overharvested in its natural habitat and is now strictly regulated in many states and by the federal government. The flowers are non-showy umbrels and are followed by clusters of bright red berries. It prefers rich, fertile soils in a woodland setting in part shade to shade. It spreads slowly by seeds. It is best used in an herb garden, naturalized area or woodland setting. No serious disease or insect problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Obovate; Ovate; Palmasect
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
A whorl of three bright green compound leaves divided palmately into 3-6 serrated ovate to obovate leaflets. Tips taper to a point, bases are rounded. Stiff hairs are present on the marginal veins. 3-6 inches long and 1-2.5 inches wide.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The umbel is 1/2 to 3/4 inches across with 10-20 tiny individual flowers that are 1/8 inch. Has a 5-toothed green calyx and 5 yellow-green petals. Blooms from May to June.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
3/4 inch bright red berries in clusters with 2-3 white seeds. Displays from August to October.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The single erect smooth stem is unbranched.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central and eastern North America
Distribution
AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Wildlife value
Birds are attracted to the fruits.
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Uses (ethnobotany)
Currently used in herbal medicine. Native Americans used it for various purposes.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Edible Garden; Native Garden; Shade Garden
Garden tags
#native perennial #NC native #food source fall #endangered #red fruits #naturalized area #bird friendly #fall color yellow #Audubon #food source soft mast fruit #shade garden #herb garden #woodland