Dwarf Ginseng (panax trifolius) is one of the delicate spring wildflowers I’ve only seen a few times in the mountains of North Carolina. The first time I saw it – it took me a while to figure out what it was. Since then, I’ve kept an eye out for it and have only found it a couple more times.
Dwarf Ginseng © 2013 Patty Hankins
Dwarf Ginseng is a small delicate spring blooming wildflower. It grows to only 8″ tall – and the ones I’ve seen have been much shorter. The ring of small white flowers is about the size of a quarter. The leaves are about 4″ long. I’ve only seen in growing in the woods in fairly moist areas. It is a member of the Araliaceae family.
Dwarf Ginseng © 2013 Patty Hankins
Dwarf Ginseng has long been used medicinally by Native Americans. The most common uses seem to have been as a pain reliever and a treatment for chest pains and tuberculosis.
Dwarf Ginseng © 2013 Patty Hankins
Dwarf Ginseng (panax trifolius) is related to Ginseng (panax quinquefolius), which has be harvested extensively for use as a Chinese Medicinal herb. Traditionally, Dwarf Ginseng wasn’t seen as having the same healing properties as ginseng – so has not been harvested the way that ginseng has.
Dwarf Ginseng © 2013 Patty Hankins
You can find more information about Dwarf Ginseng at
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Native American Ethnobotany
USDA Plant Profiles