[MPWG] Ginseng

[Mims, Ray]

For those of you in the area.  join the USBG for this
Talk on ginseng

Lecture
True Tales from the Ginseng Trade: A Plant’s Journey from Appalachia to China
David A. Taylor, Author, Ginseng, the Divine Root
Popular interest in American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) has grown with stories of plant poachers and traders featured on more than one reality TV series this year. The series feature a few mountaineers stealing ginseng from their neighbors, and others poaching on government forest land. Some of the dynamics they get right; they also include some misconceptions about plant protection and the prices that ginseng can fetch. This talk will share true tales and set the record straight.

Date: Friday, September 26
Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Conservatory Classroom
FREE: Pre-registration required: Visit www.usbg.gov<http://www.usbg.gov>











on the development and maintenance of regional and national collections of plant material that will preserve the genetic diversity of wild American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).

A germplasm collection, defined as the long-term storage of hereditary plant material (i.e. seed) does not currently exist for American ginseng in the United States. As demand for ginseng continues, conservation through propagation becomes an important consideration and a valuable economic opportunity for cultivators of "woodsgrown" and "wild-simulated" American ginseng. Germplasm collections ensure the genetic variation of a plant species and also provide genetic resources for future research and in-situ conservation opportunities.

Development of a national American ginseng germplasm collection is now in a preliminary planning stage under the direction of Dr. Joe-Ann McCoy at the North Carolina Arboretum. The national program will entail the identification, collection, and propagation of a significant number of genetically diverse populations of Panax quinquefolius sustainably collected from multiple locations within its native range in the United States. Dr. McCoy is also initiating a regional American ginseng germplasm collection for western North Carolina.

"Starting with a regional germplasm collection will provide a template for the broader project that encompasses the wide geographic range of this plant," said Dr. McCoy. "The AHPA ERB Foundation's foresight and dedication to the long-term conservation of this precious species will help preserve the native populations for future generations."

American ginseng is one of the most valuable North American wild-crafted non-timber plants and is traded principally in international markets. Primarily found in the Appalachian region in the United States, native populations are subject to numerous pressures, including harvesting (if sustainable practices are not utilized), loss of habitat due to land development and mining, and deer browsing.

The Advisory Panel will also provide guidance on obtaining financial support and publication of research and other data generated during establishment of the collections. The Advisory Panel is composed of the following members:

  *   Eric Burkhart, Ph.D., Program Director, Plant Science, Pennsylvania State University
  *   Lyle Craker, Ph.D., Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  *   Jennifer Cruse-Sanders, Ph.D., VP for Science and Conservation, Atlanta Botanical Garden
  *   Tony Hayes, President, Ridge Runner Trading Company
  *   Gary Kauffman, Botanist/Ecologist, U.S Forest Service
  *   Susan Leopold, Ph.D., Executive Director, United Plant Savers
  *   Allen Lockard, President, American Botanicals
  *   Joe-Ann McCoy, Ph.D., Director, North Carolina Arboretum Germplasm Repository
  *   James McGraw, Ph.D., Professor, West Virginia University
  *   Michael McGuffin, President, American Herbal Products Association

In addition, Patricia Ford (Botanist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)) will serve as a liaison to the Advisory Panel representing the USFWS. American ginseng is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement between countries to ensure that international trade in certain plants and animals does not threaten their survival in the wild. The USFWS regulates the export of American ginseng through the issuance of CITES permits to ensure that roots are legally and sustainably harvested.

"The harvest pressure on wild American ginseng and the disappearance of more and more of its natural habitat creates a risk of the loss of the genetic diversity critical for the long-term health of the species," said U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. "Creating a seed bank for ginseng is vital to ensure the continued sustainability of this species, which plays an important role in the economy and culture of communities throughout the United States."

The AHPA-ERB Foundation <http://www.ahpafoundation.org/> is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation established by the American Herbal Products Association for the purpose of promoting education and research on medicinal, therapeutic, and health-promoting herbs. The Foundation's current and previous efforts have included providing funding for a multi-year study of the impact of wild collection on populations of osha (Ligusticum porter), development of a guidance document on compliance with CITES for the natural products industry, and revision of AHPA's Botanical Safety Handbook, Second Edition. For further information please contact the Foundation at ahpafoundation at ahpa.org<mailto:ahpafoundation at ahpa.org>.

The central mission of The North Carolina Arboretum, an affiliate institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system, is to cultivate connections between people and plants. Established in 1986 by the General Assembly as an affiliate of the University of North Carolina, the Arboretum was founded nearly a century after Frederick Law Olmsted, the 'Father of American Landscape Architecture,' first envisioned such an institution near Asheville as part of his legacy to the Biltmore Estate. The North Carolina Arboretum is adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, and is located in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America. See www.ncarboretum.org<http://www.ncarboretum.org/> for more information.














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