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Ginkgo biloba
L.
Ginkgo
Ginkgoaceae
Ginkgo biloba is a unique species of tree in the family Ginkgoaceae. It is a relict species from the Mesozoic and the only species in its entire phylum, Ginkgophyta. It is grown for ornament, medicine, and its seeds are collected for food.
Description
Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous tree that grows up to 40 m tall, generally conical to round in outline. Leaves are uniquely shaped, up to 13 cm long and up 8 cm wide, on a 5 to 8 cm long stalk. The veins fork simply into a fan shape, and may have a deep or shallow notch at the end (Wu et al. 1999). Leaves are alternate or clustered in spur twigs borne along branches (Little 2001). They are pale green, turning bright yellow in the fall. The bark is grayish, vertically fissured, and branches are pale gray. Male cones are small, 1.2 to 2.2 cm wide. Seeds are round, ovoid, about 3 cm long and 2 cm wide, covered in a yellowish seed coat called the sarcotesta. The seed is mature in fall, and the seed coat surrounding the seed becomes bad-smelling, like rancid butter (Little 2001; Wu et al. 1999).
Ginkgo biloba and other species in its genus date back to the early Jurassic. The group flourished during the Mesozoic, but eventually perished, except for this one species. Ginkgo biloba is the only known tree in its entire phylum, Ginkgophyta, and its leaf venation and shape are unique among trees. The closest relatives are the cycads (Isah 2015).
Ginkgo biloba and other species in its genus date back to the early Jurassic. The group flourished during the Mesozoic, but eventually perished, except for this one species. Ginkgo biloba is the only known tree in its entire phylum, Ginkgophyta, and its leaf venation and shape are unique among trees. The closest relatives are the cycads (Isah 2015).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Ginkgo biloba is often cultivated as an ornamental or a street tree in many parts of the world. Originally it was planted by Buddhists near temples in Asia, and has been done so for thousands of years, which has probably protected the species from extinction. In cities it is hardy to pollution, poor soils, and other difficult conditions (Wu et al. 1999). It grows in USDA zones 3 to 8 (MBG).
While Ginkgo biloba has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, extracts from the leaves are being studied for medicinal properties and are often sold for treating a variety of ailments such as dementia and diabetes (Isah 2015). Demand is high enough that plantations have been established for extracting medicine (Isah 2015).
Although the pulp surrounding the seed smells foul, the pulp may be removed and the cooked seed is edible, provided that they are roasted or boiled to remove the unpleasant flavor. They are high in starch, low in fat, and mostly eaten in China and Japan. Miscellaneous uses for the tree include wood for carvings and toys (Rosengarten 2004), and tannin from the bark (Wu et al. 1999).
While Ginkgo biloba has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, extracts from the leaves are being studied for medicinal properties and are often sold for treating a variety of ailments such as dementia and diabetes (Isah 2015). Demand is high enough that plantations have been established for extracting medicine (Isah 2015).
Although the pulp surrounding the seed smells foul, the pulp may be removed and the cooked seed is edible, provided that they are roasted or boiled to remove the unpleasant flavor. They are high in starch, low in fat, and mostly eaten in China and Japan. Miscellaneous uses for the tree include wood for carvings and toys (Rosengarten 2004), and tannin from the bark (Wu et al. 1999).
Distribution
Ginkgo biloba is endemic to China. The only native wild population may be Tianmu Mountain, Zhejiang Province, China. There it grows in broad-leaved forests on acidic soil, at an altitude of 300 to 1100 m. It has long been cultivated around temples in other areas of China (Wu et al. 1999). Besides that population, Ginkgo biloba exists as cultivated trees across the temperate world. Only male trees are planted, because the female trees produce the foul-smelling seeds (Isah 2015).
Status
Ginkgo biloba is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Endangered", because the species appears to be confined to one mountain in China (Sun 1998).
References
Isah, T. 2015. Rethinking Ginkgo biloba L.: Medicinal uses and conservation. Pharmacognosy Reviews 9(18): 140–148.
Kartesz, J. T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].
Little, E. L. 2001. The National Audubon Society field guide to North American trees: eastern region. New York, NY: Knopf.
Rosengarten, F. 2004. The book of edible nuts. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications.
Sun, W. 1998. Ginkgo biloba. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T32353A9700472.en.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Ginkgo biloba. Plant Finder. [accessed 2018 Oct 31]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=z990
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Kartesz, J. T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].
Little, E. L. 2001. The National Audubon Society field guide to North American trees: eastern region. New York, NY: Knopf.
Rosengarten, F. 2004. The book of edible nuts. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications.
Sun, W. 1998. Ginkgo biloba. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T32353A9700472.en.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Ginkgo biloba. Plant Finder. [accessed 2018 Oct 31]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=z990
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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