About

Panax trifolius, commonly called dwarf ginseng, is a plant native to the Northeastern and Appalachian regions of North America. It is found in low mesic woods with acidic soils.

It produces an umbel of white flowers in late spring. This species was used for traditional medicine by Native Americans. Its tubers can be eaten raw or boiled.

How to grow it

The seeds that are dispersed by gravity need to be sown in shady areas of moist soil soon after maturity. Seeds that drop in the fall and require a chilling period through the winter before germinating the following spring the seed coat splits and sheds. The rate at which the seed germinates is relatively low and unpredictable due to the seed having to wait until the growing season.

Where it grows

Panax trifolius grows in mesic forests or on the banks of small streams or rivers in undisturbed areas. They grow abundantly in moist rich soil on flat land in a full or semi-shady position. It can be found in woodlands or damp clearings in eastern deciduous forests of North America. The range in distribution can be from Ontario, Canada to the east of Nova Scotia; South of Georgia, northwest of Kentucky, Indiana, and Minnesota. The plant has adapted to a short growing season allowing it to be tolerant of colder climates.

Uses

Although there is very little research on the medicinal use of the plant, it was still used by Native American tribes. The whole plant was used as a tea, or the root was eaten or chewed on. It was used as a tea to help aid in colic, indigestion, gout, or hives. The root could be eaten raw or boiled, was used for headaches, fainting, or shortness of breath.

Other Panax plants

Chinese ginseng · Japanese Ginseng · South China Ginseng · Ginseng · American ginseng · Vietnamese Ginseng · Ginseng