West Virginia Ginseng Digging
West Virginia’s hills are filled with gold – a gold root, that is. The lucrative root, known as ginseng, brings out treasure hunters every year from September 1 through November 30 to dig it up and sell for a pretty penny. The Division of Forestry closely monitors the harvesting of this valuable resource to protect ginseng supplies for years to come.
About Ginseng
A native plant of West Virginia, ginseng grows in all 55 counties of the State but is prevalent in cool, moist forests. This perennial herb is highly prized for its large, fleshy roots that grow from 2″ to 6″ in length and ?? to ?? in thickness. Ginseng is slow growing with seeds that take two years to germinate.
Ginseng has been harvested as a cash crop in West Virginia for at least 200 years. It has been used for centuries in North America and Asia. Allegedly teas, soups and medicines made from ginseng roots cure sickness, increase vitality, relieve mental and physical fatigue and prolong life. In China the roots themselves are often chewed.
About Digging
Digging Season
West Virginia Ginseng Season runs from September 1 through November 30 every year. Diggers have until March 31 of the following calendar year to sell to a registered West Virginia ginseng dealer or have roots weigh-receipted at one of the Division of Forestry weigh stations.
Possession of ginseng roots is prohibited from April 1 through Aug. 31 without a weight-receipt from the DOF.
Contact Robin Black for more information or with questions at 304-558-2788 ext. Option #3.
Rules for Digging
Digging on state forest land is prohibited.
Digging on private land without prior written consent is prohibited.
Digging on your own land is permitted during the digging season.
Dig ginseng roots only when the plant has three or more prongs (with no fewer than 15 leaflets) indicating the plant is probably at least five years old and capable of producing fertile berries plant seeds at the root spot.
The berries of the plant must be red in color indicating that they are mature.
All ginseng wishing to be held till the next season must properly weight receipted.
For questions, or more information on ginseng and harvesting, contact Robin Black at (304) 558-2788 ext. Option #3.
More Information for Ginseng Digging
The following links provide resources and information about digging ginseng in West Virginia:
Wild American Ginseng – Information for Dealers and Exporters
