Ginseng - Ask Extension
How can you tell the difference in ginseng and other look alike plants that grow along side it, for example the Virginia creeper looks so similar and ...
Knowledgebase
Ginseng #456945
Asked May 25, 2018, 4:44 PM EDT
How can you tell the difference in ginseng and other look alike plants that grow along side it, for example the Virginia creeper looks so similar and here in the summer it all looks the same. I thought maybe near September I might find some with the red berries, but I see there is another plant that puts out red berries as well, golden something or another, can't remember. If you could shed any light on finding it in the wild, I would appreciate it, I would like to see if I actually have any growing. I live in Arkansas and do seem to have some plants that are companions.
Thank you
Faulkner County Arkansas
Expert Response
Key differences between ginseng and virginia creeper include; 1) fine teeth that entirely surround each ginseng leaf, versus larger teeth on the virginia creeper that do not surround the leaf entirely (disappear toward base); and 2) 5 leaves on the virginia creeper emerge from one single stem whereas the larger three leaves on ginseng emerge from separate stems emerging from the primary stem, with the smaller two leaves usually emerging from the main stem, but sometimes from smaller separate petioles. Goldenseal, on the other hand, has two large broad leaves from a single stem.
Here are some helpful links:
Ginseng ID
http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_008338.pdf
Goldenseal ID
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Plants.asp?mode=detail&SpecCode=PDRAN0F010
http://articles.extension.org/pages/68255/goldenseal-hydrastis-canadensis-l
Here are some helpful links:
Ginseng ID
http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_008338.pdf
Goldenseal ID
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Plants.asp?mode=detail&SpecCode=PDRAN0F010
http://articles.extension.org/pages/68255/goldenseal-hydrastis-canadensis-l
