Ginkgo biloba is a variety of tree found in regions with mild temperatures . Mostly seen in China, it has also grown in regions of the US since it was brought there around 200 years ago . Despite being there for a relatively long time, it’s interesting to note that the plant hasn’t been completely naturalised to the North American environment.1
Also known as Maidenhair tree or Kew tree , it can reach up to 120 feet tall and 1,000 years of age .2 Ginkgo biloba are deciduous trees; their leaves fall seasonally as they reach maturity.3 Such leaves are characterised by a fan-like shape. The fruits of the Ginkgo biloba tree are inedible, and give of a repugnant scent. 4
A living fossil
Ginkgo biloba has existed as a species for over 100 million years; findings demonstrate that this type of tree has been present since the Jurassic and Triassic periods.5 For instance, evidence shows leaf imprints in archaeological stratum from the Mesozoic era.6
Because of its ancient origins, this species of tree is sometimes referred to as a living fossil. The term was created by renowned scientist Charles Darwin who used it to describe platypuses and the South American lungfish.7 Other examples of living fossils are animals like alligators and the blind shark.
The plant is the last living representative of the order known as the Ginkgoales. Although the Ginkgoales’ origin is not accurately known, there’s speculation that it’s related to other types of vegetation like conifers or cycads. In fact, cycads are also living fossils.8
If you take into consideration the number of species that have endured throughout the eras, you will soon see that the list is quite short; that’s because animals and plants have to overcome a massive variety of adversities. With time, as new threats arrive, only the most robust of species can survive.
Ginko Biloba trees were growing when dinosaurs were still alive, and have survived many events which have driven other species to extinction. Think about how much of the Earth’s geological composition and weather conditions have changed in this period9 and consider the fact that the tectonic plates have shifted the position of continents! Settings were drastically different from what we see today, and this type of tree has endured through it all.
Their contribution to science
Investigating “living fossil” species like Gingko biloba is an important part of scientific research . For example, there has been a study which attempted to recreate the environment in the Mesozoic period. Because of Ginkgo biloba’s prominence throughout this time, its leaves were helpful to the investigation.10
1Flora of North America. Ginkgo biloba. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200005235
2Ehrlich, Steven D. (Article last reviewed on 03/26/2009). Ginkgo biloba. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginkgo-biloba-000247.htm
3International Organisation of Palaeobotany. Ginkgo biloba- its ancestors and allies. http://www.palaeobotany.org/page/living-fossils/ginkgo-biloba
4Ehrlich, Steven D. (Article last reviewed on 03/26/2009). Ginkgo biloba. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginkgo-biloba-000247.htm
5Wayne’s Word: An On-Line Textbook of Natural History. Living Fossils at Palomar College. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plapr96.htm
6International Organisation of Palaeobotany. Ginkgo biloba- its ancestors and allies. http://www.palaeobotany.org/page/living-fossils/ginkgo-biloba
7Wayne’s Word: An On-Line Textbook of Natural History. Living Fossils at Palomar College. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plapr96.htm
8International Organisation of Palaeobotany. Ginkgo biloba- its ancestors and allies. http://www.palaeobotany.org/page/living-fossils/ginkgo-biloba
9Wayne’s Word: An On-Line Textbook of Natural History. Living Fossils at Palomar College. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plapr96.htm
10Sun, B., Dilcher, D.L., Beerling, D.J., Zhang, C., Yan, D. & Kowalski, E. (06/10/2003). Variation in Ginkgo biloba L. leaf characters across a climatic gradient in China. http://www.pnas.org/content/100/12/7141.full