American Ginseng, (Panax
quinquefolium), has been sought in America since the time of the
early
colonies. Wild ginseng was discovered in western New England around 1750, and
later in New York, Massachusetts and Vermont. As settlers recognized the value
of ginseng, its harvest and trade increased.
John Jacob Astor and
Daniel Boone are just two of the famous Americans involved in ginseng
harvesting in early America. Boone is reported to have harvested several tons
of ginseng for export to China in 1788 and Astor relied upon ginseng exports to
help build his financial empire. Ginseng had long been prized in China for its
medicinal properties, as well as its purported qualities as an aphrodisiac. It
is still prized in the Orient today, although its use in the American health
food market is growing rapidly as supplements become a larger part of the
American diet.
Finding ginseng in the wild is more difficult these
days, but with some diligence and patience you’ll learn to identify the root.
Clusters of five leaves protruding from a central stalk
characterize the ginseng plant. During its second year of growth, the plant
will produce two prongs of leaf clusters. In general, wild plants should only
be harvested if they have at least three prongs. Harvesting younger plants
reduces the chance that healthy stands of wild ginseng will reproduce. A
four-pronged plant is fullymature, and will produce the best roots. In July or August, the plants exhibit
a cluster of green berries. The cluster can contain fifty or more berries,
which ripen to a deep red and fall from the plant in late August and September.
Ginseng is found throughout Illinois in the under story of
deciduous hardwood stands, growing amongst the leaf litter. The plant prefers
shady rolling hills with moist, well-drained soils.
American Ginseng
Oftentimes, it is found on the northern and eastern slopes
of these sites. In the fall of the year, the plants turn a deep yellow. In
fact, ginseng is one of the earliest under story plants to begin turning, and
this fact can help when trying to locate it in the timber. In general, ginseng
does not grow well in stands of evergreen trees, nor does it do well in oak leaf
litter, as young ginseng plants find it hard to grow through the heavy oak
leaves. Looking for companion plants like Solomon’s seal, bloodroot and
Goldenseal will help you locate ginseng.
Before you go out hunting, remember that Illinois
requires you to purchase a Ginseng Harvester’s License. This allows you to dig
ginseng during the legal season, which runs from the
last weekend of August
through November 1. Have the license in your possession at all times while
out digging. Also, always remember to get permission before you go digging on
land you don’t own. This courtesy should be extended to all landowners.
Most importantly, remember that this article does not
contain all of the rules and regulations regarding ginseng hunting in Illinois.
For an updated copy of the IDNR Administrative Rule pertaining to ginseng
harvesting, go to
http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/1580.htm . This website will give you a more
complete list of the regulations enforced by the IDNR. It also outlines the
ginseng certification process required of all ginseng diggers. You can
generally certify your ginseng harvest at most DNR field offices, and must
complete the certification process before selling your roots.
So, whether you are interested in
digging ginseng for personal, medicinal use, or simply to pick up a few extra
dollars, you will find that hunting wild ginseng can provide an interesting and
challenging outdoor experience. Wild ginseng has commanded very high prices per
pounds in the recent past, upwards of $150 to $200. So remember to purchase a
license and obtain permission to dig ginseng before you venture into the timber,
because all illegal ginseng seized by Conservation Police will be sold to
purchase equipment for our division.
This article was written by Lake County Conservation
Officer Jeff Kelley. CPO Kelley has cultivated ginseng for
many years with
his family in central Illinois, and actively follows the ginseng market. He is a
member of the 2001 Conservation Police academy, joining our team from the
National Park Service. He worked in Mesa Verde National Park for three years
were he employed his talents in anthropology to study the native ruins. CPO
Kelley possesses a Bachelor degree in criminal justice and a Bachelor and
Masters Degree in anthropology, which is a valuable asset for our department
considering the state and federal laws governing Illinois’ native artifacts. He
is also well versed in fur-bearing mammals and trapping given his is
relationship to the president of the Illinois Trappers Association, Jeff’s
father.
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