Ginkgo (Maidenhair Tree)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Ginkgophyta, Class: Ginkgoopsida, Order: Ginkgoales, Family: Ginkgoaceae, Genus: Ginkgo, Species: Ginkgo biloba · Ginkgoaceae (Ginkgo family) · Simple, deciduous
Species
Ginkgo biloba (Confidence level: 98%)
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Family
Ginkgoaceae (Ginkgo family)
Shape
Fan-shaped (Flabellate), typically with a central notch creating two lobes (biloba)
Size
Approximately 2-4 inches wide and 1.5-3 inches long; the specimen in the image appears within the typical immature or small-growth range.
Margin
The upper margin is irregularly undulate or lobed; the side margins are entire and straight, tapering to the petiole.
Arrangement
Alternate, often clustered on short spur shoots
Rarity
Very Common in cultivation; Critically Endangered in its original wild habitat.
Color & Pattern
Specimen is a pressed/dried leaf showing parchment-cream to light tan color. Naturally, leaves are bright green in summer and turn a uniform, brilliant saffron-yellow in autumn.
Venation Pattern
Dichotomous venation (veins fork in pairs from the base to the edge and do not cross)
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous) and leathery when fresh; thin and papery in this dried specimen.
Description
A unique gymnosperm that is a 'living fossil.' The tree grows with an initial pyramidal form, becoming broad and spreading with age. It features distinctive grey-brown bark with deep furrows in older specimens.
Key Features
Unique fan shape and dichotomous (forking) venation that is unlike any other broadleaf tree; the presence of spur shoots on branches.
Habitat
Widely cultivated in urban environments due to pollution resistance; naturally prefers well-drained, acidic to alkaline soils with full sun exposure.
Geographic Range
Native to a small area in Zhejiang province, China. Now naturalized and widely planted globally in temperate climates.
Condition Notes
Fair condition; the specimen is dried and pressed, showing significant chlorophyll loss (browning) at the base and a general parchment-like appearance common in herbarium-style samples.
Interesting Facts
Ginkgos have existed for over 270 million years. They are dioecious (separate male and female trees) and are famous for being one of the few organisms to survive the Hiroshima atomic blast.
Medicinal & Uses
Extracts from the leaves are used in supplements for cognitive function. The seeds (gametophytes) are used in Asian cuisine but must be cooked. Widely used as an ornamental street tree.
Ecological Role
High urban ecological value due to resistance to pests and smog. It provides little food for insects outside its native range but offers excellent nesting structure for birds.
Similar Species
None. The Ginkgo leaf is morphologically unique among extant seed plants. Some Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum) have similar looking leaflets, but are much smaller and softer.
Foraging Tips
Look for the distinct fan-shaped leaves on the ground in late autumn when they drop almost simultaneously. Avoid female trees if you are sensitive to the smell of the fallen fruit (butyric acid).
Toxicity Warning
Moderately Toxic. Raw seeds and the fleshy outer coat of the fruit contain ginkgotoxin and can cause dermatitis or seizures if ingested. The leaves are generally non-toxic but can interact with blood-thinning medications.