Description
Panax quinquefolius is an erect perennial growing to 10-15″ tall. Each plant has three long-stalked, horse-chestnut-like, compound leaves. Each leaf has 5 (infrequently 3) toothed, pointed, elliptic-obovate leaflets to 5″ long. A solitary umbel of small yellowish-green to greenish-white flowers arises on a long stalk from the central leaf axil in late spring to early summer. Flowers are mildly fragrant but not particularly showy.
