Panax trifolius - Ground Nut

Family:	Araliaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.2
Synonyms:	Aralia trifolia.
Range:	Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Pennsylvania, west to Georgia, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota.

Panax trifolius (Ground Nut) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.2m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Ground Nut will flower in October. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Ground Nut will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Ground Nut prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Ground Nut can grow in full or semi shaded areas.

Rich woods and damp clearings[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Is suited to a deeply shaded location

Cultivation Details

Requires a moist humus-rich soil in a shady position in a woodland[1, 200]. The plant has leaves above the ground for only two months each year[222]. Although plants are hermaphrodite, individual flowers are often male[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Root - cooked[57, 63]. A very palatable taste after being boiled[183]. When cold it has a taste somewhat like nuts[183].

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Although closely related to the well-known herbal medicine ginseng, this species has been little researched for its medicinal virtues[222]. A tea made from the whole plant has been used in the treatment of colic, indigestion, gout, hepatitis etc[222]. The root is analgesic[257]. It has been chewed as a treatment for headache, short breath, fainting and nervous debility[222, 257].

• Miscellany - Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Propagation

Seed - sow in a shady position in a cold frame preferably as soon as it is ripe, otherwise as soon as the seed is obtained. It can be very slow and erratic to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse or frame for at least their first winter. Make sure the pots are deep enough to accommodate the roots. Plant out into their permanent positions in late summer. Division in spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.