ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba, commonly called ginkgo or maidenhair tree, is the sole surviving species in the division Ginkgophyta and the genus Ginkgo. Native to China, it is among the oldest living tree species, with a fossil record dating back about 270 million years. In the wild it is fragmented and considered endangered, persisting mainly through cultivation and local populations.

The tree is dioecious, with separate male and female individuals, and typically reaches about 20–35 meters in height, sometimes taller. It is valued for its tolerance of urban conditions. Leaves are fan-shaped with a distinctive dichotomous venation pattern. In autumn they turn yellow before dropping. Female trees produce large seeds enclosed in a fleshy outer coating that emits a strong, often unpleasant odor when ripe. The seeds are used in some East Asian cuisines in small amounts, and the kernel inside is edible when properly prepared, though seeds and preparations can contain toxins if misused.

Uses and safety: Leaf extracts standardized as EGb 761 have been studied for cognitive impairment, mood disorders, and glaucoma, but results are mixed and not conclusive. Ginkgo can have antiplatelet effects and may interact with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, increasing bleeding risk. Seeds contain ginkgotoxins; raw seeds and large doses should be avoided by some individuals, including pregnant women and those taking anticoagulants.

Ecology and history: Ginkgo is widely planted as an ornamental and street tree worldwide, appreciated for drought and pollution tolerance. It is a living fossil, with a long fossil record and few close relatives, reflecting its ancient lineage. Taxonomically, it remains the only extant species in genus Ginkgo, family Ginkgoaceae, order Ginkgoales, division Ginkgophyta.