The highly valued plant known as American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a native perennial herb found across the eastern United States, including the wooded areas of Ohio. This slow-growing species has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Asia, where the root is prized for its medicinal properties. High commercial demand for the root, which takes many years to mature, has led to significant regulation to protect the plant from overharvesting. The value of the dried root makes wild ginseng an important, tightly controlled economic commodity in the state. Ohio operates a management program to ensure the species’ survival, governing who can harvest it, when they can harvest it, and the necessary steps required to sell the root legally.
The Official Harvest Season in Ohio
The state of Ohio enforces a precise, legally mandated window for the collection of wild ginseng from its natural habitat. The official harvest season, set by state law, begins annually on September 1st and concludes on December 31st. Harvesting outside of this four-month period is strictly prohibited unless a person has specific written authorization from the Chief of the Division of Wildlife. The season is set to begin in the fall to ensure the berries have ripened and dropped their seeds before the root is collected. Possessing uncertified wild ginseng roots outside of this designated harvest season is illegal.
The regulations derived from the Ohio Revised Code (ORC 1533.86 to 1533.90) govern the harvest, possession, and sale of wild ginseng. These rules establish the Ohio ginseng management program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The restrictions are in place to prevent the over-collection of the plant, which is susceptible to population decline due to its slow growth rate.
Legal Requirements for Harvesting
Before any collection takes place, a person must first secure the proper permission to access the land where they intend to harvest. For wild ginseng growing on private property, the collector must have written permission from the landowner or their authorized agent. This written authorization must be carried by the person at all times while harvesting and presented upon the request of a law enforcement officer.
Access to public lands is more restrictive, as digging ginseng is generally prohibited on state-owned lands and national park property. However, some federal lands, such as the Wayne National Forest, may offer a specific permit for collection, which must be obtained from the forest offices. Collectors must also keep accurate daily records of their harvest, detailing the weight of the roots collected in each county and the date of collection.
Anyone who intends to sell or broker the collected ginseng roots must obtain a Ginseng Dealer Permit from the ODNR Division of Wildlife. This permit is required for purchasing or acquiring ginseng for resale or export. All Ohio-harvested ginseng must also be certified by the Division of Wildlife before it can be transported or sold out-of-state. Dealers and buyers are required to maintain comprehensive records of all transactions, including the seller’s information and the weight of the roots.
Sustainable Harvesting and Identification
The state’s regulations incorporate biological requirements to enforce sustainable harvesting practices and ensure the plant’s long-term survival. Only mature ginseng plants are legally allowed to be harvested, which means the plant must exhibit at least three prongs (the main compound leaves that emerge from the central stem).
The three-prong visual cue identifies a plant that has reached an age capable of reproduction. The plant’s life cycle is tied to the harvesting rules, particularly the development of its fruit. In late summer and early fall, mature ginseng plants produce bright crimson berries, each containing two to three seeds.
A person harvesting a mature root has a mandatory legal obligation to immediately replant the seeds from the collected berries at the location where the plant was dug. Replanting the seeds ensures the next generation of ginseng is started in the same area, helping to maintain the population. The seeds require a period of cold stratification and typically take 18 to 22 months to germinate after planting.