American Ginseng

American Ginseng

(Panax quinquefolius) Also referred to as 'sang, ginseng grows in eastern hardwood forests, where it requires at least 5 years to reach reproductive maturity. Its popularity with consumers has driven the price of roots up, and raised concern about sustainability of the wild plant in its natural habitat.
Most of the ginseng consumed in the U.S. is commercially cultivated. However the popularity of wild roots in Asia encourages poaching of wild plants from public and private lands in the United States. International trade in American ginseng has been regulated since 1975 to protect wild populations.