Panax quinquefolius (root)

Nomenclature

Panax quinquefolius L.   Araliaceae  
Standardized common name (English): American ginseng  
Pinyin name(s): xi yang shen (root)

Botanical Voucher Specimen

Source: MOBOT, Tropicos.org

Organoleptic Characteristics

[Panax ginseng (root)] has a feeble odor, and a sweet, slightly aromatic taste, somewhat analogous to that of licorice root. Source: United States Dispensatory (1918)

Macroscopic Characteristics

Ginseng is an erect plant growing from 8 to 15 inches high and bearing three leaves at the summit, each leaf consisting of five thin, stalked leaflets. The three upper leaflets are larger than the two lower ones. From 6 to 20 greenish-yellow flowers are produced in a small cluster during July and August, followed later in the season by bright-crimson berries. Ginseng has a thick, fleshy, spindle-shaped root 2 to 3 inches or more in length and about one-half to 1 inch in thickness, often branched. After the second year the root becomes branched or forked. Source: American Medicinal Plants of Commercial Importance (1930) The root is fleshy, somewhat spindle-shaped, from 5 to 12 cm. long, and 1 to 2.5 cm. thick, and terminated by one or more stem scars. Frequently there are two portions, sometimes three or more, connected at their upper extremity, and bearing a supposed, though very remote, resemblance to the human figure, from which circumstance it is said that the Chinese name ginseng originated. When dried, the root is yellowish-white and wrinkled externally, and within consists usually of a hard central portion, surrounded by a soft whitish bark. Source: United States Dispensatory (1918)

Microscopic Characteristics

Rosette of calcium oxalate observed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories	Yellow secretion from a resin canal observed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution. Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories