Large Four-Prong with 21 Leaflets

Ever since the kids and I found ginseng, we’ve been fascinated by it. Finding it, studying it, seeing shapes in the physical roots, and drinking it in tea. But we’re also worried about ginseng. For one thing, it gets stolen and too frequently the thieves don’t respect the “take” failing to plant the berries into…

This month National Geographic has a feature on ginseng emphasizing violence and crime. While theft is an important challenge, the plant faces many other challenges as well.  I have written a “top twenty” list explaining 20 of my favorite ginseng factoids. Please read my story on medium here.

Bob Beyfuss holding a fully wild root dug from ginseng bowl area above Coal Creek.

Bob Beyfuss dug up this two prong to prove how old it was, and then replanted it.

Maidenhead Ferns grow in similar environments to ginseng, and they have the coolest black stems.