Fish and Wildlife Service Announces 5-Year Age Limit on Ginseng Exports

In 2006 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that it would permit the export of wild and wild-simulated American ginseng that is at least 5 years old.

Agency representatives said the decision was reached after consideration of recent research findings as well as feedback received from dozens of growers, harvesters, and other industry representatives during public meetings held earlier this year. After considering the new information, the agency has determined that lowering the age would not adversely affect the conservation and long-term survival of the plant.

This change in export requirements for wild and wild-simulated ginseng will not affect half a million pounds of cultivated ginseng root that is exported each year, primarily to Asia. Cultivated roots are not subject to the age restriction. However, all exports, including cultivated roots, must be accompanied by a permit issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Ginseng is an herbaceous perennial found in the understory of mixed hardwood forests of the northeastern, midwestern and southeastern United States and in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. It has a life expectancy of at least 60 years, and proponents believe the plant enhances physical and mental activity, increases stamina and vitality, builds resistance to stress and promotes a healthy libido.

Wild and wild-simulated ginseng is exported from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

In 1975, because of the high demand for wild ginseng root, American ginseng was listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a treaty to which the United States and 168 other countries are signatories. An Appendix-II listing means that export permits must be issued by the country of origin stating that a particular shipment for export was legally collected and that the export is not harmful to the survival of that species in the wild. The Service began approving export of ginseng on a state-by-state basis in 1978.

Agency representatives said the Service will continue to work closely with growers, the States and with ginseng industry representatives to encourage continued monitoring of ginseng in the wild as well as assessments of the plant’s populations.

The export requirements could be modified in future years if new information is found.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations.

The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov

Life History

1. Ginseng is a long-lived herbaceous perennial of the Araliaceae family. The species has a slow growth rate, a long pre-reproductive period (ca. 3–8 years), low fecundity, and high seed and seedling mortality (Carpenter and Cottam 1982; Lewis and Zenger 1982, 1983; Schlessman 1985; Charron and Gagnon 1991; Anderson et al. 1993; Dunwiddie and Anderson 1999; Schluter and Punja 2000).

2. Ginseng forms a special underground stem, known as a vertical rhizome, that sits on top of the main root and from which grows the single above-ground stem. The rhizome is characterized by alternating bud-scale scars that form as a result of the annual loss of the aerial stem. These annual stem scars can be counted to determine the approximate age of the plant (Lewis and Zenger 1982; Anderson et al. 1993; McGraw, unpublished data, 2005; Persons and Davis 2005; Kauffman 2006). The location where the rhizome and the root collar meet marks the first year’s growth, and each subsequent year’s growth is marked by a bud-scale scar (Carpenter and Cottam 1982; Lewis and Zenger 1982; Anderson et al. 1984, 1993, and 2002). Hence, the minimum age of a plant (root) can be determined as the number of bud-scale scars plus one. However, the chronological age of a plant may be greater because no scar forms in years when plants remain dormant (see below). It may also be difficult to count the exact number of bud-scale scars on some roots.

3. Reproduction is by seed. Although anecdotal information suggests that ginseng can regenerate by planting the rhizome of a plant, vegetative (asexual) propagation by rhizome or root fragmentation has been rarely observed to occur naturally in the wild (Lewis and Zenger 1982; Lewis 1988; Charron and Gagnon 1991). According to Burkhart and Jacobson (2004) this method of propagation is often less reliable than planting seeds.

A limited field experiment indicated that intact rhizomes were capable of regenerating when planted. However, only 13% of the rhizome propagules were successful compared to 49% of the whole roots and root propagules planted (Van der Voort et al. 2003).

4. Ginseng has been typically grouped into four morphological classes (referred to as size- or stage-classes) based on the number of leaves, commonly referred to as “prongs.” These classes are the following: 1-leafed, 2-leafed, 3-leafed, and 4-leafed plants. Although ginseng plants can produce up to 5 leaves, such plants are rarely encountered in the wild. Ginseng size-classes can be used to broadly estimate the age-class of individual plants and are a good indicator of root size (Lewis and Zenger 1982; Charron and Gagnon 1991; Anderson et al. 1993).

5. However, growth rate varies among individual plants due to biotic and abiotic factors (e.g., genetics, habitat quality, and environmental conditions), so plants with the same numbers of leaves and leaflets may be close in size, but not identical in age (Carpenter and Cottam 1982; Lewis and Zenger 1982; Anderson et al. 1983, 1993; Anderson 2002; McGraw, in litt. 2005). Field studies have shown that 3- and 4-leafed plants can subsequently regress in numbers of leaves the following year (e.g., 4-leafed plants to 3-leafed plants, or a 3- to 2-leafed plants, as well as other permutations) (Anderson et al. 2002; McGraw 2003 and unpublished data 2006; Van der Voort 2005; Farrington 2006).

Plants can also produce the same number of leaves for multiple years (Van der Voort 2005). Furthermore, the leaves of ginseng can senesce (a natural die-back of the plant) due to drought or other factors during the growing season (Carpenter and Cottam 1982). Although not as common, true dormancy has also been observed in wild ginseng populations (McGraw and Furedi 2005; Farrington 2006); dormancy in plants for more than one growing season has also been documented in the wild (Farrington 2006).

6. Although wild 2-leafed ginseng plants (approximately 4 years of age) have been observed to reproduce (Carpenter and Cottam 1982; Lewis and Zenger 1982 and 1983; Anderson et al. 1993; Charron and Gagnon 1991; Dunwiddie and Anderson 1999), plants usually have 3 leaves (approximately 5–9 years of age) before producing fruit in any quantity (Charron and Gagnon 1991; Lewis and Zenger 1982; Anderson et al. 1993; Persons and Davis 2005). Fruit production is positively correlated with age and size of plant (leaf number and leaf area) and increases as plants age (Carpenter and Cottam 1982; Lewis and Zenger 1982; Anderson et al. 1984 and 1993; Schlessman 1985; Schluter and Punja 2000; Lubbers 2006).

7. Ginseng produces flowers in late May to June. The species has a mixed mating system (both self- and cross-pollination) (Carpenter and Cottam 1982; Schlessman 1985). Plants have been observed to be cross-pollinated by bees and flies in the families Halictidae and Syrphidae, respectively (Carpenter and Cottam 1982; Lewis and Zenger 1983; Schlessman 1985). The male (anthers) and female (stigma) parts of flowers are reported to mature at different times to allow cross-pollination to occur (Small and Catling 1999). Several field studies have shown that, in the wild, more flowers are produced than actually develop fruit, and seed production is much lower than its potential.

8. Although fruit maturity is variable across and within geographical regions (McGraw et al. 2005), green fruits first appear in July and August and reach maturity in the autumn, when they turn red (Anderson et al. 2002; McGraw et al. 2005). The berry-like fruit is typically two-seeded (Carpenter and Cottam 1982; Lewis and Zenger 1983; Anderson et al. 1984 and 1993; Dunwiddie and Anderson 1999), although three-seeded fruit is not uncommon (Schlessman 1985; Anderson et al. 2002). Dispersal is usually passive, and typically fruit fall within 2 m (6.5 ft) of parent plants (Lewis and Zenger 1983; Anderson et al. 1993; Cruse-Sanders and Hamrick 2004a; Van der Voot 2005).

9. Germination of seeds usually occurs 18–20 months after dispersal (Lewis and Zenger 1982; Anderson et al. 1993; Hackney and McGraw 2001). Although it may not be significant in number of seeds (Anderson et al. 1984; Lewis 1988; Charron and Gagnon 1991), ginseng is reported to form a short-term seed bank of 5 years or less (Lewis 1988; Anderson et al. 2002; Van der Voot 2005).

Field studies show that seeds of ginseng fruits (regardless of color) planted at the recommended depth of 2 cm (ca. 1 in) in soil have a germination rate 8 times greater than seed scattered on the soil surface or naturally dispersed by plants (McGraw 2003a). Planting seeds from harvested plants significantly contributes to population growth and the long-term survival of ginseng (McGraw 2003b; Van der Voot 2005; Farrington 2006). Moreover, seeds from red fruit germinate at nearly 3 times the rate of seeds from green fruits (McGraw et al. 2005).

For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit their home page at http://www.fws.gov

American Ginseng Suppliers:
Q– I’m interested in growing some American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and I am looking around for a good supplier. Please send me a flyer or a website address about your company, prices and success on your experience in growing ginseng.
A– That’s us! We can provide you with all your needs. Our web address is www.ncgoldenseal.com. We also have a brochure, please send a SASE to Robert A. Eidus, 300 Indigo Bunting Lane, Marshall, NC 28753.

Ginseng Seed Availability and Cost:
Q– I need information on how to obtain ginseng seed, and how to grow ginseng.
A– Please check our price list for current prices. We have booklets on “How to Grow Ginseng” and “How to Grow Goldenseal”.

Asian Ginseng seed (also know as Panax Ginseng):
Q– Do you sell Panax ginseng seed? If so, what do you charge for your smallest quantity?
A– We do not sell Panax ginseng at this time. We do not expect to get seeds as the Chinese control export.

Do you have Ginseng seeds:
Q– Do you have American Ginseng seeds?
A– Yes, we have stratified American Ginseng seeds. We do not sell green seeds. Sometimes we have seeds left from fall that we sell as sprouted seeds the first week in March.

Organic Ginseng Seeds:
Q– I am really anxious to know if you can get certified organic seeds?
A– There is only one source in the U.S. for certified organic ginseng seeds.

Do you buy Ginseng
Q– Are you interested in buying Ginseng?
A– Yes. You will have to tell us what type of ginseng you are selling. We need to know if the ginseng is wild, wild-simulated, woods-grown or cultivated. We do not buy cultivated or woods grown roots. We are very interested in purchasing “green” or freshly dug organic ginseng roots. If you dry your own roots, it must be shade dried, not sun dried, quickly dried, or dried by dehydrator. The roots need to have the heads or necks, so we can check the age of the roots.

Do you buy Wild Ginseng:
Q– We got this “sang” in two harvests, in different years. We have dried it in the garage on some screens. We also have racks hanging from the ceiling. Would you be interested in buying any of it?
A– I usually do not buy any roots under 7 years old. From your email it sounds like you dried the “sang” right. However, you would need to come to Eagle Feather Organic Farm to sell your harvested ginseng.

Do you have Goldenseal Rootlets:
Q– I am interested in purchasing Goldenseal rootlets for planting this fall. If you have any to sell please contact me with a price and when it would be available.
A– Yes, we sell goldesnseal rhizomes. The fall planting down here starts just before the leaves fall, after Labor Day. Money orders or checks should be sent to us by September 1 for fall orders.

Do you buy Goldenseal:
Q– Do you buy Goldenseal?
A– We do buy cultivated goldenseal. It needs to be “green” or freshly dug. If you want to sell goldenseal to us the best thing to do is bring it to Eagle Feather Farm. Clean roots bring the best prices. Please CHECK WITH US FIRST to find out if we are still purchasing for the season.

Ginseng and Goldenseal Sale or Trade:
Q– Do you have plants for sale or trade?
A– Plants are available in the spring. Roots, rhizomes and seeds in the fall. They are for sale, but we sometimes trade.

Wildcraft Source ethics and your policies:
Q– Is your wildcraft source ethical — are they careful about not destroying a whole stand, with no theft from growers?
A– We prefer wild-simulated forest farming.

American Ginseng:
Q– Who buys American Ginseng?
A– Approximately 94-96% of all ginseng goes to Hong Kong each year. It’s then distributed to the Chinese in the Pacific rim. The worst, with high residue of fungicide, is sold in American health food stores.

1. I am trying to get Americans to use American organic ginseng.
2. I have a program where small farmers are helped in raising “wild simulate” organic ginseng, so that American ginseng will be on almost all the farms in our area, plus in places we travel for herbal conferences and herb festivals.
3. We travel to small farms for private land site evaluations for ginseng or goldenseal plantings. We do charge a fee for this service.
4. We believe in deep ecology and agricultural sustainability, and we believe we are one of the good guys, helping to shed light on a very complicated issue.

Growing Ginseng in temperate climates:
Q– I live in Petaluma CA. The temperature is fairly mild Winter average 40-60, Summer 70-85 with a night time temp of 65 with some fog. Is this suitable for growing ginseng starting with 1 year old sprouts?
A– I do not have good news for growing ginseng in mild climates. Ginseng needs to become dormant as a perennial plant. We do not sell to Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Southern California, Hawaii, or Alaska.

Growing Ginseng in the mountains:
Q– I’m interested in growing Ginseng in my garden. Are Denver winters too cold?
A– Ginseng needs to become dormant in the winter. However Colorado is usually too dry.

Ginseng growing around trees:
Q– I am contacting you on behalf of my father, who is 86 and still gathering plants out of the woods! My Dad says “sang” likes Oaks, Hickory, and Chestnut trees. We planted some in my small patch of Maples and it didn’t come up. He said it does not like Elms either. Is this correct?
A– Although your Dad may think ginseng likes “nutty” trees, i.e. Oak, Hickory and Chestnut, a Pennsylvania State study shows ginseng growing under the following trees: #1 Poplar, #2 Beech, #3 Maple, #4 Dogwood and #5 Oak.

Ginseng and Goldenseal growing mixture:
Q– Do you know how well ginseng and goldenseal will grow in a mixture of rabbit manure and oak leaf compost?
A– Please see soil requirements for more information.

For the best information on soils, please visit:
Dr. Elaine Ingham’s “Soil food web,” http://www.soilfoodweb.com
TEA information, http://www.growingsolutions.com, 541-343-8272

I have Goldenseal Seeds:
Q– I have gallons of goldenseal seeds and don’t know how to save them. Could you help me out?
A– In our opinion, Goldenseal seeds need to be planted the day they are harvested. If the seed dries out it is DEAD. Harvesting the seed is the easy part if you are faster than the turkeys, down here. Place your seeds in a stratification box and plant them in the late fall in beds.

For additional advice on goldenseal seed harvesting, cleaning, storage, and planting, order our brochure Growers Guide to Goldenseal, or our DVD, Growing Goldenseal.