What morphological characteristics does the perennial herb ginseng have, and in what environment is it suitable to grow?

[Morphological characteristics]

It is a perennial herbaceous plant. The root consists of the main root, fibrous roots, rhizome (root crown/rhizome head), and buds. The main root is thick and fleshy, cylindrical or spindle-shaped, 15-25 cm long, with a yellow-white or pale yellow epidermis, and generally bears 1-2 branch roots. The jointed underground stem where the main root meets the stem is called the rhizome head. The flattened-round protruding part at the tip of the rhizome head is called the bud, which is the primordium of the following year's aboveground stem. The stem is erect, unbranched, and cylindrical; a 1-year-old stem is 5-6 cm tall, a 2-year-old stem is 12-15 cm tall, a 3-year-old stem is 20-30 cm tall, and a 4-6-year-old stem is 50-60 cm tall. The leaves are whorled palmate compound leaves; a 2-year-old plant grows 1-2 palmate compound leaves, a 3-year-old grows 3 palmate compound leaves, a 4-year-old grows 4 palmate compound leaves, and a 5-6-year-old grows 5 palmate compound leaves. The leaflets are ovate or elliptical, with acuminate tips and finely serrated margins. The umbel is solitary and terminal, with 10-40 small flowers, 5 petals that are pale yellow-green or white, 5 stamens and 1 pistil. The berry is oblate or kidney-shaped, bright red when ripe, and contains 2 flat-spherical, milky-white seeds. The flowering period is May-June, and the fruiting period is July-August.

[Suitable growing environment]

It is cold-tolerant and prefers a cool, humid environment with moderate moisture; it fears both waterlogging and drought. Ginseng is a shade-loving, long-day plant that prefers slanted or diffused light, avoids direct strong light, and is not tolerant of high temperatures. The optimum temperature during the growing period is 20-25°C; therefore, artificial cultivation must involve building a shade shed. Ginseng has strict soil requirements. It is suitable for growing in well-drained, deep, humus-rich, highly permeable neutral to slightly acidic sandy loam. Any low-lying, poorly drained, heavy, alkaline soil is not suitable for planting.