Siberian ginseng
Eleutherococcus senticosus

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A deciduous shrub. It forms suckers. It has thick roots. It grows 6 m high. It has only a few branches. It has bristles and prickles. The leaves are dark green and divided like fingers on a hand. They are 15 cm across. The female flowers are green and the male flowers are purple. They are small and star shaped and occur in groups. The fruit are black. The fruit are 8 mm across.

The root is used in medicine. It has stimulant properties like other ginsengs.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in sun or part shade. It grows in Inner Mongolia in China. It suits hardiness zones 3-8. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Russia, Siberia

How it is used for food

The young leafy shoots and leaves are eaten as a potherb. The dried leaves are used as a substitute tea. The stems and roots are used for tea. The red pigment is edible and used to colour food.

Edible parts

Leaves, stem - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, stem cuttings, root cuttings or suckers.

Its other names

Local names

Ci wu jia, Eleuthero root

Synonyms

Acanthopanax senticosus Rupr. & Maxim.;