The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Foundation for Education and Research on Botanicals (AHPA-ERB Foundation) formed the American Ginseng Advisory Panel to provide expertise on the development and maintenance of collecting 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 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. 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 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 valued by the AHPA-ERB as $27 million industry. 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