The study was conducted to investigate the tissue and chemical characteristics of rusty root epidermal cells. In histological study, the rusty symptoms were frequently observed in the epidermis of ginseng root and to be yellow under microscopic observation. Disks of the epidermal cell tissue of the rusty root were usually 2 and 3 times greater in the number of cell layer and thickness of cell wall than the healthy root, respectively. The color degree of methanol extracts from the rusty root epidermis was 5.5 times higher than that of the healthy root. And the extracts of rust matter in the root epidermis were easily dissolved in polar solvents compared to nonpolar solvents. UV-absorption spectra of methanol extracts in various fractions of phenolics showed a maximum peak between 275∼280 nm. The crude lipids and phenolic compounds such as acid insoluble bound phenolics, acid insoluble esterified phenolics, acid insoluble condensed phenolics, insoluble bound phenolics and free phenolics were also more in the rusty root epidermis than in the healthy one. Fe content in the rusty root epidermis was 2.7 times higher than that of healthy one. It was presumed that the phenolic compounds(precursor of the rusty) in association with lipid and iron in the root epidermis might defence the root when ginseng root was depressed by the unfavorable conditions in soil and/or portions of a root system were subjected to anoxic conditions.