Ginseng
Panax pseudoginseng

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows to 60 cm high. It has a fattened tuberous rootstock. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are divided like fingers on a hand into leaflets which have a very small stalk. The leaflets are 5-15 cm long by 0.8-6 cm wide. They are sword shaped and taper to the tip. They have fine teeth around the edge. They have bristly hairs on both surfaces. The flowers are white.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. In Nepal they grow between 2000-3300 m altitude. They grow in moist, shady places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Thailand, Tibet

How it is used for food

The young leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Keura, Sanchi, Tarika

Synonyms

Aralia pseudoginseng (Wall.) Benth. ex C.B.Clarke; Aralia quinquefolia var. pseudoginseng (Wall.)Burkill; Panax schin-seng var. nepalensis Nees;