Practical
Plants

Panax trifolius

Ground Nut

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Panax
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

Root - cooked[7][8]. A very palatable taste after being boiled[2]. When cold it has a taste somewhat like nuts[2].

Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Although closely related to the well-known herbal medicine ginseng, this species has been little researched for its medicinal virtues[4]. A tea made from the whole plant has been used in the treatment of colic, indigestion, gout, hepatitis etc[4]. The root is analgesic[5]. It has been chewed as a treatment for headache, short breath, fainting and nervous debility[4][5].

Product or use
Miscellany

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania, west to Georgia, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota.
Habitat
Rich woods and damp clearings[6].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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.

Cultivation

Requires a moist humus-rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[1][3]. The plant has leaves above the ground for only two months each year[4]. Although plants are hermaphrodite, individual flowers are often male[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  4. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  7. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

    ↩

  8. Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber 1948-00-00

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