[MPWG] ginseng poaching program

[Robert Layton Beyfuss]

Hi Russ and others
I watched the show and it was wrong in so many ways, I hardly know where to begin. The misidentification of baneberry as black cohosh was a minor one, compared to the digging of ginseng with clusters of green berries, digging two prong plants and the unscrupulous dealers. The so called "disabled" poacher claiming to be supporting his family with ginseng should go to jail for fraud if he is indeed "disabled" and collecting benefits. Disabled people cannot hunt ginseng.
The only positive thing is that perhaps it will scare some potential poachers from breaking the law.
Bob

From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of ForestRuss at aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2014 10:20 AM
To: MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: [MPWG] ginseng poaching program

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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