[MPWG] MPWG 125/7 - poaching show

[Joe-Ann McCoy]

FYI.....
Attached is a link to the show, 'Appalachian Outlaws' which
debuted on the history channel last night glorifying illegal ginseng
harvest and theft.  There has been a vociferous, indignant response
today as it will threaten the species even more than it currently is.
Another disturbing thing (among many others!!) to notice in the film
is the blatent misidentification of Actaea racemosa (black cohosh) as
Actaea pachypoda (Doll's Eye) which has toxic properties!
There has already been concern expressed by members about the potential danger
this could have on future wildharvesting as it could show up as a
toxic adulterant in products.  I have attached a photo of the
misidentified plant from the film clip.  In addition they illustrate
illegal ginseng wildharvesting methods which include harvesting
young plants and individuals with green immature seeds (photo
attached), which once again threatens future populations!
Joe-Ann

Joe-Ann McCoy, PhD
Director, NC Arboretum Germplasm Repository
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806-9315
828-665-5178 ext. 268
www.ncarboretum.org

On Fri, Jan 10, 2014 at 12:06 PM, Michael Schenk <schenkmj at earthlink.net> wrote:
> This is mind-boggling.
>
> If someone were to set up a petition site, I'd sign it.
>
> Mike Schenk
>
> -----Original Message-----
>>From: mpwg-request at lists.plantconservation.org
>>Sent: Jan 10, 2014 10:47 AM
>>To: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
>>Subject: MPWG Digest, Vol 125, Issue 7
>>
>
>>
>>Today's Topics:
>>
>>   1. ginseng poaching program
>>   2. Re: ginseng poaching program
>>   3. Re: ginseng poaching program
>>
>>
>>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>Message: 1
>>Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2014 10:19:41 -0500 (EST)
>>From:
>>To: MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
>>Subject: [MPWG] ginseng poaching program
>>Message-ID: <a0f0f.40554b6c.4001698d at aol.com>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>>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
>>
>
>>Message: 2
>>Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2014 15:44:39 +0000
>>From:
>>To:
>>       "MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org" <MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org>
>>Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng poaching program
>>Message-ID:
>>       <df9eba5c9c0a4ae5b48c7e49dc3291ea at CO2PR04MB714.namprd04.prod.outlook.com>
>>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>>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
>>
>
>>
>>Message: 3
>>Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2014 10:47:09 -0500
>>From: Susan
>>To:
>>Cc: MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
>>Subject: Re: [MPWG] ginseng poaching program
>>Message-ID:
>>       <8FD03BA0-B167-413E-8B47-F1DC3E6564E9 at unitedplantsavers.org>
>>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>>Thank you Russ for pointing out the information of wrong identification, which sets the stage for the show and possibly more of its kind in the works. I personally think it is horrific to have a ginseng show that glorifies poaching and all the illegal activity that took place in this show to continue with no consequences.  If is was a show about poaching a protected animal I wonder how the public would react?
>>
>>I think this quote from the main ginseng dealers sums up how plants are perceived.. see quote and link below.
>>
>>UpS has released a formal press release warning the History Channel about the dangers of promoting poaching of a threatened species...
>>
>> "its a protected species, but I don't know why. Its a plant'
>>http://www.register-herald.com/local/x1956140531/New-reality-show-focuses-on-state-ginseng-business
>>http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/12/25/new-reality-show-focuses-on-west-virginia-ginseng-business/
>>
>
>
>
>
>
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