Ginkgophytes

Ginkgophytes are an extinct division of seed-bearing plants that flourished during the Mesozoic Era. These plants are characterized by their distinctive fan-shaped leaves, which are often bilobed. Fossil evidence suggests that ginkgophytes were a diverse group, ranging from small shrubs to large trees. Their leaves typically have a dichotomous venation pattern, meaning the veins split repeatedly in pairs.

The most well-known representative, and the sole survivor of this division, is the living fossil *Ginkgo biloba*. This species is believed to have remained largely unchanged for millions of years, making it a valuable subject for evolutionary studies. Ginkgophytes were widespread across the globe, with fossils found on every continent. They likely occupied a variety of habitats, from temperate forests to more arid environments.

Reproductively, ginkgophytes were gymnosperms, meaning their seeds were borne naked, not enclosed within a fruit. Fossil reproductive structures reveal that pollination was likely wind-borne. The decline of ginkgophytes is thought to be linked to the rise of flowering plants (angiosperms) during the Cretaceous period, which may have outcompeted them in many ecological niches. The survival of *Ginkgo biloba* is often attributed to its resistance to pests and diseases, as well as its cultivation by humans.