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Panax trifolius - L.

Common Name Ground Nut, Dwarf ginseng
Family Araliaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich woods and damp clearings[43].
Range Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania, west to Georgia, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade
Panax trifolius Ground Nut, Dwarf ginseng


www.flickr.com/photos/jlucier
Panax trifolius Ground Nut, Dwarf ginseng
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 619.

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Panax trifolius is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in leaf from April to June, in flower in April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Aralia trifolia.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked[57, 63]. A very palatable taste after being boiled[183]. When cold it has a taste somewhat like nuts[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Miscellany

Although closely related to the well-known herbal medicine ginseng, this species has been little researched for its medicinal virtues[222]. A tea made from the whole plant has been used in the treatment of colic, indigestion, gout, hepatitis etc[222]. The root is analgesic[257]. It has been chewed as a treatment for headache, short breath, fainting and nervous debility[222, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Miscellany

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist humus-rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[1, 200]. The plant has leaves above the ground for only two months each year[222]. Although plants are hermaphrodite, individual flowers are often male[200]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is tuberous with swollen potato-like roots [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - sow in a shady position in a cold frame preferably as soon as it is ripe, otherwise as soon as the seed is obtained. It can be very slow and erratic to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse or frame for at least their first winter. Make sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the roots. Plant out into their permanent positions in late summer. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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Readers comment

P Landouer   Tue Jul 17 2007

Les arbres all about trees of Europe. 2500 pictures, 450 trees. Poetry.

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