目的：探索山参类药材的种类与鉴别方法。方法：在山参药材的原产地和各地市场考察药材来源、生长环境及商品的形态特征。结果：山参类药材来源复杂，形态多样。药材的来源、植物的生长环境和年龄都决定着药材的性状。人参的根茎及残茎痕、不定根、主根的收缩纹和须根分布形态等与环境和生长年限的关系尤为密切，但各种性状之间存在着变异的规律性和相关性。结论：目前市场上的山参类药材分为四类：野山参、移山参、育山参和池底子，正确地鉴别山参类药材，必须综合各种性状。根茎的圆柱状部分（圆芦）、下垂的不定根（下垂艼）、主根肩部的线形收缩纹（铁线纹）及带疣状突起的细长柔韧的须根系（珍珠须）是最重要的鉴别性状

OBJECTIVE: To identify Chinese wild ginsengs and their characteristics. METHODS: We investigated the resources, growing environment, and goods characteristics in original places and market. RESULTS: The sorts of Chinese wild ginsengs are very complicated. The origins, growing environment, and age are all important factors. They are closely related to the growing environment regarding to the rhizome with remnant stem scars, adventitious roots, taproot shrink wrinkles, and fibrous roots. There are various regularities and relations among the characteristics of root. CONCLUSION: According to their resources, Chinese wild ginsengs on the market have been divided into 4 groups: Yeshanshen: Genuine wild ginsengs; Yishanshen: Transplanted wild ginsengs; Yushanshen: Seeding ginsengs in forest; Chidizi: Remnant cultured ginsengs in past cultivated place. It is most important to recognize the characteristics including cylindrical section of rhizome (Yuanlu), drooping adventitious root tuber (Xiachuiding), wirelike wrinkles on tap shoulder (Tiexianwen) and some slender pliable warty fibrous roots (Zhenvuxu).