Abstract:
Ginseng, harvested in North Carolina since Colonial days, is a profitable product for residents of the state's western mountains. The plant is not valued for its leaves or crimson berries, but for its tuberous root. In the Far East it is valued as a medicinal herb, and almost all ginseng harvested is shipped to Hong Kong. Elliott discusses the history of the plant in North Carolina, the state's ginseng program, and several state laws that govern its collection and sale.