How to Hunt for Wild Ginseng
Hunt during the season., Go where the ginseng grows., Look for companion plants., Identify the ginseng plant., Harvest only mature plants with red berries., Dig carefully., Wash and dry the root(s).
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Hunt during the season.
The harvest of wild ginseng is regulated in 19 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin),and is restricted or prohibited in all other states where it occurs.
All of the 19 states have a designated harvest season, which is from September 1 to November
30.
Plan your harvesting accordingly.
If you have questions, contact your state natural resource or agriculture department for more details.
The American Herbal Products Association is also a resource for state laws and regulations.In Canada, it is illegal to harvest wild ginseng, and it is classified as endangered both nationally and in Ontario and Québec.
The export of wild roots in Canada is prohibited. -
Step 2: Go where the ginseng grows.
Ginseng is native to hardwood forests of North America, from southern Canada (Ontario and Quebec), west to South Dakota and Oklahoma, and south to Georgia.
It usually grows in well-shaded areas (especially north- or east-facing slopes) of moist hardwood forests.The more mature the forest (with large hardwood trees and a full canopy that shades out most shrubs, briars, etc.), the better for ginseng, as a thick understory of smaller plants will overshade or compete with ginseng plants.
If you are interested in a certain area, check the USDA mapto see if ginseng has ever grown there before.
This will greatly increase your chances of finding some ginseng.
Remember that the combination of shade and moisture create the best environment for ginseng to grow.Go to forests that have Beech Trees, Maple Trees, Hickory trees, Oak Trees, Basswood Trees, and Tulip Poplar Trees.
Ginseng grows well in the shade of these trees.If you begin to harvest late into the season, you may have more difficulty finding ginseng.
Look for deep, dark soil that is loose and covered with leaf litter., One indicator that you may be in an area where ginseng grows is the presence of "companion plants." These plants favor the same habitat conditions as ginseng and are sometimes found growing among ginseng.
Finding these plants does not guarantee that you'll also find ginseng, but it is a good place to start.
These companion plants include trillium (Trillium spp.), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides
-blue, Actaea racemosa-black), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum ), wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum).
Poison Ivy is not considered a companion plant. , The ginseng plant has a single stem that ends with a whorl (i.e. single point that the leaves originate from) of 1 to 4 leaves.
Each leaf usually has 3 to 5 leaflets (i.e. smaller leaves).If the plant is mature, you will see a cluster of 6 to 20 whitish green flowers.
The flowers will eventually produce red berries.Ginseng can be hard to spot.
However once you find the first plant, it will be easier to find more.Ginseng changes as it develops.
If the plant is immature, you will see a single stem with only 3 leaflets total.
As the plant matures, each leaf will consist of 3 to 7 leaflets.
A ginseng patch will have plants of all different stages of growth.You can find ginseng in both small groups and as solitary plants.It may be helpful to look at pictures of the ginseng plant before you go hunting or take a more experienced hunter with you. , If harvesting wild ginseng is allowed in your state harvest only mature plants with 3 or more prongs (leaves), and only when there is a sizeable population (leave at least 2/3 so that they can continue to reproduce, as well as any immature plants).
Because wild ginseng is threatened, make sure to pick any ripe, red berries and plant them, separately, 1/2" to 1" deep in loose soil, 2 to 10 feet from the parent plant.
You should protect these plants from other harvesters by clipping the stems from all 2-, 3-, and 4-pronged plants (making sure to plant any ripe berries).
For more information on sustainable harvesting methods, see:, When you find a mature plant with 3 prongs (i.e. leaves) (or 4 prongs (leaves) in Illinois), carefully dig the root out so as not to damage it and the neck.
Use a pitchfork or needle-nose spade to dig under the plant, and leave plenty of space (about 6 inches/15 cm) between the plant and where you push the pitchfork or spade into the ground.Be respectful of nearby plants and try not to disturb them.
If the plant is close to immature ginseng plants, use a smaller tool such as a stout flat blade screwdriver about 8 or 10 inches (20.3 or
25.4 cm) long, and work with extra care.
If there is any risk of damaging the roots of adjacent immature ginseng plants, do not attempt to harvest the plant.
After you have dug the root out, squeeze the red fruits into the palm of your hand and plant the seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) under the soil near the harvested plant.
Never remove ginseng seeds or immature plants from the woods., When you get back home, briefly soak the roots in a bucket of cool water to remove excess soil.
Do not wash them under a sink faucet or with a hose.
Do not scrub them or wash them vigorously as some soil is desirable by the buyer and the surface of the root can easily be damaged.
Then place the roots in a single layer on a screen tray or wooden rack to dry.Make sure the roots are not touching and let them dry on a wooden rack or screen tray in a well-ventilated room between 70–100 °F (21–38 °C).
Never dry your roots in the oven, microwave, direct sunlight, or in a car window (i.g. placing the root near the back window of your car).
Check your roots periodically as they are drying.
If you see any mold or discoloration, adjust the temperature or airflow.
Roots should easily snap into two pieces when they are completely dry.
It will probably take 1 to 2 weeks to dry your ginseng roots. -
Step 3: Look for companion plants.
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Step 4: Identify the ginseng plant.
-
Step 5: Harvest only mature plants with red berries.
-
Step 6: Dig carefully.
-
Step 7: Wash and dry the root(s).
Detailed Guide
The harvest of wild ginseng is regulated in 19 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin),and is restricted or prohibited in all other states where it occurs.
All of the 19 states have a designated harvest season, which is from September 1 to November
30.
Plan your harvesting accordingly.
If you have questions, contact your state natural resource or agriculture department for more details.
The American Herbal Products Association is also a resource for state laws and regulations.In Canada, it is illegal to harvest wild ginseng, and it is classified as endangered both nationally and in Ontario and Québec.
The export of wild roots in Canada is prohibited.
Ginseng is native to hardwood forests of North America, from southern Canada (Ontario and Quebec), west to South Dakota and Oklahoma, and south to Georgia.
It usually grows in well-shaded areas (especially north- or east-facing slopes) of moist hardwood forests.The more mature the forest (with large hardwood trees and a full canopy that shades out most shrubs, briars, etc.), the better for ginseng, as a thick understory of smaller plants will overshade or compete with ginseng plants.
If you are interested in a certain area, check the USDA mapto see if ginseng has ever grown there before.
This will greatly increase your chances of finding some ginseng.
Remember that the combination of shade and moisture create the best environment for ginseng to grow.Go to forests that have Beech Trees, Maple Trees, Hickory trees, Oak Trees, Basswood Trees, and Tulip Poplar Trees.
Ginseng grows well in the shade of these trees.If you begin to harvest late into the season, you may have more difficulty finding ginseng.
Look for deep, dark soil that is loose and covered with leaf litter., One indicator that you may be in an area where ginseng grows is the presence of "companion plants." These plants favor the same habitat conditions as ginseng and are sometimes found growing among ginseng.
Finding these plants does not guarantee that you'll also find ginseng, but it is a good place to start.
These companion plants include trillium (Trillium spp.), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides
-blue, Actaea racemosa-black), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum ), wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), and Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum).
Poison Ivy is not considered a companion plant. , The ginseng plant has a single stem that ends with a whorl (i.e. single point that the leaves originate from) of 1 to 4 leaves.
Each leaf usually has 3 to 5 leaflets (i.e. smaller leaves).If the plant is mature, you will see a cluster of 6 to 20 whitish green flowers.
The flowers will eventually produce red berries.Ginseng can be hard to spot.
However once you find the first plant, it will be easier to find more.Ginseng changes as it develops.
If the plant is immature, you will see a single stem with only 3 leaflets total.
As the plant matures, each leaf will consist of 3 to 7 leaflets.
A ginseng patch will have plants of all different stages of growth.You can find ginseng in both small groups and as solitary plants.It may be helpful to look at pictures of the ginseng plant before you go hunting or take a more experienced hunter with you. , If harvesting wild ginseng is allowed in your state harvest only mature plants with 3 or more prongs (leaves), and only when there is a sizeable population (leave at least 2/3 so that they can continue to reproduce, as well as any immature plants).
Because wild ginseng is threatened, make sure to pick any ripe, red berries and plant them, separately, 1/2" to 1" deep in loose soil, 2 to 10 feet from the parent plant.
You should protect these plants from other harvesters by clipping the stems from all 2-, 3-, and 4-pronged plants (making sure to plant any ripe berries).
For more information on sustainable harvesting methods, see:, When you find a mature plant with 3 prongs (i.e. leaves) (or 4 prongs (leaves) in Illinois), carefully dig the root out so as not to damage it and the neck.
Use a pitchfork or needle-nose spade to dig under the plant, and leave plenty of space (about 6 inches/15 cm) between the plant and where you push the pitchfork or spade into the ground.Be respectful of nearby plants and try not to disturb them.
If the plant is close to immature ginseng plants, use a smaller tool such as a stout flat blade screwdriver about 8 or 10 inches (20.3 or
25.4 cm) long, and work with extra care.
If there is any risk of damaging the roots of adjacent immature ginseng plants, do not attempt to harvest the plant.
After you have dug the root out, squeeze the red fruits into the palm of your hand and plant the seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) under the soil near the harvested plant.
Never remove ginseng seeds or immature plants from the woods., When you get back home, briefly soak the roots in a bucket of cool water to remove excess soil.
Do not wash them under a sink faucet or with a hose.
Do not scrub them or wash them vigorously as some soil is desirable by the buyer and the surface of the root can easily be damaged.
Then place the roots in a single layer on a screen tray or wooden rack to dry.Make sure the roots are not touching and let them dry on a wooden rack or screen tray in a well-ventilated room between 70–100 °F (21–38 °C).
Never dry your roots in the oven, microwave, direct sunlight, or in a car window (i.g. placing the root near the back window of your car).
Check your roots periodically as they are drying.
If you see any mold or discoloration, adjust the temperature or airflow.
Roots should easily snap into two pieces when they are completely dry.
It will probably take 1 to 2 weeks to dry your ginseng roots.
About the Author
Ryan Burns
Committed to making organization accessible and understandable for everyone.
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