[MPWG] ginseng poaching program

[ForestRuss at aol.com]

MPWG:
 
A new program had its debut on History Channel  yesterday 01/09/14  called 
"Appalachian Outlaws.
 
The program appears to be more about the being a ginseng poacher than  
almost anything else and I am uncertain how it could impact ginseng  
growers...beyond making theft a thrill game.  
 
One concern I have as a long time grower of black Cohosh in a forest  
setting is that one of the poachers already has identified "dolls eye",   Actaea 
pachypoda, as black Cohosh, a very incorrect ID.  They made a  point of 
showing the fruit and the foliage. 
 
As a grower of the medicinal black Cohosh plant I think that in 2014  black 
Cohosh root buyers might have to be more vigilant in vetting their  
purchases to make sure they aren't getting poison.
 
I would appreciate other peoples' thoughts or comments on the program 
 
Sincerely,
 
Russ Richardson, Certified Forester
 
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