It's leaves have some subtle differences, which make it stand out to those who hunt for it. To my untrained eye, it was hard to differentiate the plant. I can only liken looking for it to hunting mushrooms in the spring. You have to train your mind and eye to catch the differences and spot the plant. Gingseng in the wild.
Many people do hunt the plant and harvest it.
Goldenseal, which is another useful native medicinal, is also hunted for its bright yellow gold root. These are only two of the native medicinal plants that are harvested annually from woods and forests all over the United States. My curiosity to see the plants was raised because of what I read in a newspaper recently. Indiana's Department of Natural Resources has stopped allowing harvest of ginseng and goldenseal roots from state forests, reservoirs, and fish and wildlife properties. Penalties will be imposed on harvesters who ignore the ban.