Someone told my grandfather and I that in the hollow of our hunting camp, there is wild ginseng growing. I have researched both ginseng and its look a likes in PA. It doesn't seem to be any of the 5 common look a likes but I still am not confident that it is ginseng. So I would like to know, what is the plant that we have found?
The things that make me think it is ginseng, are as followed. It grows on shady hills in sandy soil alongside ferns and sometimes mountain laurel. It has the leaf shape, size and layout of ginseng. Some of the plants are also turning completely yellow. It has three prongs that all connect at the same point on the stem. The roots have rings and stick above the ground a little bit.
The things that make me think it isn't ginseng are. It seems too abundant in some areas. Even with all the plants I have seen, non have more then three prongs, and non of them have a red berry on them. The roots also seem too long and not fat enough.
Here are some pictures I snapped of the plant in question. What do you think it is?