Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.

Herbs, perennial, 30-60 cm tall. Rootstock usually with 1-or 2-fascicled roots, fusiform or cylindric. Leaves 3-6, verticillate at apex of stem, palmately compound; petiole base without stipule or stipulelike appendages; leaflets 3-5, membranous, abaxially glabrous, adaxially sparsely setose (trichomes ca. 1 mm), base broadly cuneate, margin densely serrulate, apex long acuminate; central leaflet elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 8-12 × 3-5 cm; lateral leaflets ovate to rhombic-ovate, 2-4 × 1.5-3 cm. Inflorescence a solitary, terminal umbel 30-50-flowered; peduncle 15-30 cm, usually longer than petiole; pedicels 0.8-1.5 cm. Ovary 2-carpellate; styles 2, distinct. Fruit red, compressed-globose, 4-5 × 6-7 mm; seeds nephroid, white. 2n = 48*.

It is a temperate plant. It is native to northern China. It grows naturally in mountain forest. It requires a moist humus rich soil. It is hardy to frost. It suits hardiness zones 4-8.

A tea is made from the ground dried root. The sliced young root is also eaten raw or fried or candied. It can be used in stuffings, soft drinks and soups.

It can be sown from seed. Seed can be erratic to germinate. Plants can also be grown by division of plants.