Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous tree and the only living species of the genus Ginkgo. It belongs to a very old lineage of seed plants that has existed for hundreds of millions of years. Native populations survived in China, where the species was cultivated and preserved for centuries before it was introduced to other parts of the world. The ginkgo is easily recognized by its fan-shaped leaves, which usually have a shallow notch or two lobes.

The leaves turn bright yellow in autumn before falling. Ginkgo trees are usually dioecious, meaning that male and female reproductive structures occur on separate trees. Male trees produce pollen, while female trees develop ovules that become seeds after fertilization. The seeds are surrounded by a fleshy outer layer with a strong, unpleasant smell when it falls and decomposes. Ginkgo trees are remarkably tolerant of urban conditions.

They can withstand air pollution, compacted soil and periods of drought better than many other trees, which is why they are widely planted along streets and in parks. The species can also live for centuries, and some individual trees are more than a thousand years old. Ginkgo has a long history in traditional Asian medicine, but this should not be confused with evidence that ginkgo products can treat diseases.

Modern ginkgo extracts are marketed for various health purposes, yet scientific findings are mixed and they can interact with medicines. In botanical terms, the species is especially interesting because its sperm cells are motile and retain features rarely seen in modern seed plants. Today, Ginkgo biloba is cultivated throughout temperate regions and is valued both as an ornamental tree and as a living link to an ancient branch of plant evolution.