Panax quinquefolius (root)

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=Organoleptic Characteristics=
 
=Organoleptic Characteristics=
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{{Organolepsy | source=United States Dispensatory (1918)
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| description=[''Panax ginseng'' (root)] has a feeble odor, and a sweet, slightly aromatic taste, somewhat analogous to that of licorice root.}}
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=Macroscopic Characteristics=
 
=Macroscopic Characteristics=
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{{Macroscopy | source=United States Dispensatory (1918)
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| description=The root is fleshy, somewhat spindle-shaped, from 5 to 12 cm. long, and 1 to 2.5 cm. thick, and terminated by one or more stem scars. Frequently there are two portions, sometimes three or more, connected at their upper extremity, and bearing a supposed, though very remote, resemblance to the human figure, from which circumstance it is said that the Chinese name ginseng originated. When dried, the root is yellowish-white and wrinkled externally, and within consists usually of a hard central portion, surrounded by a soft whitish bark. }}
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=Microscopic Characteristics=
 
=Microscopic Characteristics=
  

Revision as of 19:46, 31 March 2015

AHPA recognizes other valuable resources exist regarding the identity of Panax quinquefolius.

To submit a suggestion or contribution, please contact Merle Zimmermann.

Contents

Nomenclature

Panax quinquefolius L.   Araliaceae  
Standardized common name (English): American ginseng  
Pinyin name(s): xi yang shen (root)

Botanical Voucher Specimen

bottomright

Panax quinquefolius Tropicos 53111.jpg
Source: MOBOT, Tropicos.org[1]

Organoleptic Characteristics

[Panax ginseng (root)] has a feeble odor, and a sweet, slightly aromatic taste, somewhat analogous to that of licorice root.

Source: United States Dispensatory (1918) [2]

Macroscopic Characteristics

The root is fleshy, somewhat spindle-shaped, from 5 to 12 cm. long, and 1 to 2.5 cm. thick, and terminated by one or more stem scars. Frequently there are two portions, sometimes three or more, connected at their upper extremity, and bearing a supposed, though very remote, resemblance to the human figure, from which circumstance it is said that the Chinese name ginseng originated. When dried, the root is yellowish-white and wrinkled externally, and within consists usually of a hard central portion, surrounded by a soft whitish bark.

Source: United States Dispensatory (1918) [3]

Microscopic Characteristics

bottomright bottomright

American ginseng.jpg
Rosette of calcium oxalate observed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution.
Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories[4]

American ginseng-1.jpg
Yellow secretion from a resin canal observed at 400x with Acidified Chloral Hydrate Glycerol Solution.
Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories[5]

High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic Identification

Supplementary Information

Sources

  1. MOBOT, Tropicos.org http://www.tropicos.org/Image/53111
  2. United States Dispensatory (1918)
  3. United States Dispensatory (1918)
  4. Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories http://www.alkemist.com
  5. Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories http://www.alkemist.com
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