Mark MacDonald of LaVale, Maryland shows the 1.11-pound ginseng root he dug in early September in western Allegany County. "I think it is a world record," MacDonald said. "It is a record in Maryland."

LAVALE, Md. — While still unsure of whether his discovery constitutes world record status, a northern Maryland man is now preparing to hand over his hand-dug find to the highest bidder.

After reaching out months ago, Guinness hasn’t gotten back to Mark MacDonald to confirm that the 1.11-pound ginseng root he dug in September is a world record. Regardless, that won’t stop him from auctioning the pricey tuber in an upcoming auction in China.

“(The auction) should take place in late January,” MacDonald said Thursday morning. “The people I’m talking with say it will likely go for seven figures.”

Ginseng is considered by many to be an aphrodisiac or stimulant. Along with the U.S., South Korea and Canada, China is one of the biggest producers of ginseng with their total production of fresh ginseng totaling approximately 79,769 tons — more than 99% of 80,080 tons, the total ginseng production around the world according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. 

When it comes to the herb, the Chinese also have an extremely long history of ginseng use in their traditional medicine. 

MacDonald said he has already, to date, turned down offers of $50,000 to $60,000 for his ginseng find.

MacDonald and his father, Carey, were looking for ginseng in September when they found the massive root at a location described only as western Allegany County, Maryland.

The root is in a secure place and has an alarm system, according to MacDonald, who said anybody who would steal it would never be able to sell it because everybody in the specialized world of ginseng has already heard about the root and knows he dug it.

“I keep damp moss around it and change it often,” he said. “You don’t want it too wet. You want to keep it as close to a natural situation as possible. It’s best at 34 to 35 degrees.”

The fame that has accompanied the unusual find has already earned MacDonald a trip to the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas next month, where he will show photographs of the root.

“It took us an hour and a half to dig it out,” MacDonald told the Cumberland, Maryland Times-News in September. “We were real careful with it. It was unbelievable. We just kept digging and digging and there was more root.”

Sawyers writes for the Cumberland, Maryland Times-News.