Ginseng plants with at least three prongs can be dug for their roots during the legal harvest season. Regulations must be followed when collecting the herb.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The harvesting of wild American ginseng is a trend that has increased in popularity in the Mountain State, but digging the plants illegally remains punishable by jail time.
“We are starting to really crack down on people who are poaching it, so it’s to everyone’s advantage to follow the law,” said Leslie Smithson, a West Virginia Division of Forestry spokeswoman.
Legal digging season of the herb runs from Sept. 1 to Nov. 31 in West Virginia. It is not legal to posses the plants between April 1 and Aug. 31 without a receipt from the Division of Forestry.
Ginseng is protected closely by the state for conservation purposes.
“If you want to sell it, you have to sell it to a registered buyer,” Smithson said. “There are registered dealers throughout the state, and they’re the ones who who will do the exporting.”
The Division of Forestry also must be notified if unsold ginseng is to be transported out of the state.
The root — dried — is the only part of the herb that is either used or sold.
Ginseng has become extremely popular in foreign markets, especially Asia. It is used in energy supplements, herbal medications and creams…
