Eleutherococcus

Eleutherococcus
E. gracilistylus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Araliaceae
Subfamily:	Aralioideae
Genus:	Eleutherococcus Maxim.
Species
Eleutherococcus baoxinensis Eleutherococcus brachypus Eleutherococcus cissifolius Eleutherococcus cuspidatus Eleutherococcus divaricatus Eleutherococcus eleutheristylus Eleutherococcus giraldii Eleutherococcus henryi Eleutherococcus higoensis Eleutherococcus huangshanensis Eleutherococcus hypoleucus Eleutherococcus japonicus Eleutherococcus lasiogyne Eleutherococcus leucorrhizus Eleutherococcus nanpingensis Eleutherococcus nikaianus Eleutherococcus nodiflorus Eleutherococcus pilosulus Eleutherococcus pseudosetulosus Eleutherococcus pubescens Eleutherococcus rehderianus Eleutherococcus rufinervis Eleutherococcus scandens Eleutherococcus senticosus Eleutherococcus seoulensis Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus Eleutherococcus setchuensis Eleutherococcus setulosus Eleutherococcus sieboldianus Eleutherococcus simonii Eleutherococcus spinosus Eleutherococcus stenophyllus Eleutherococcus trichodon Eleutherococcus trifoliatus Eleutherococcus verticillatus Eleutherococcus wardii Eleutherococcus wilsonii Eleutherococcus xizangensis
Synonyms
Acanthopanax (Decne. & Planch.) Miq.

Eleutherococcus is a genus of 38 species of thorny shrubs and trees in the family Araliaceae. They are native to eastern Asia, from southeast Siberia and Japan south to the Philippines, with the greatest diversity in central and western China. Some species, notably E. senticosus (Siberian ginseng), are used for herbal medicine. Several species are also grown as ornamental garden shrubs. Several dietary substances contain Eleutherococcus senticosis. Members of this Genus may have certain qualities similar to the ginsengs, though further scientific study is needed.