Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources has banned harvesting wild ginseng on public lands, namely Maryland state parks. The department instituted the ban in an effort to conserve the declining wild ginseng plants in Maryland.
Wild ginseng has a limited capacity to reproduce, taking 3 to 8 years to reach maturity. Additionally, commercial harvesting, habitat loss, consumption by white tailed deer, and invasive species choking out the plants and roots have caused a decline in plant numbers
For centuries, ginseng has been sought after for its medicinal and energy enhancing properties. Ginseng, found mainly in western parts of Maryland, netted ginseng hunters $1000 per pound for wild harvested, excellent quality roots, with the Asian market the primary customers and consumers.
Although American ginseng has been found in 34 states, 21 states are concerned about conservation. The current ban affects only public lands. Private land owners may still harvest or allow harvesting of wild ginseng.
http://dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Plants_Wildlife/rte/rteamericanginseng.asp