Unusual or exotic trees -the maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba.
by Chris, 18 August, 2016, 4 comments
The maidenhair tree is otherwise known as Ginkgo biloba, or just Gingko is native to China, but is widely cultivated through the world. The name Ginkgo may be derived from a misspelling of the Japanese Gin kyo or silver apricot - referring to the form of its fruit. The biloba part of the name refers the two lobed form of the tree’s leaves.
Ginkgo is a dioecious species, that is to say, there are separate male and female trees. The female tree produces quite large seeds within a yellow brown soft fruit-like structure. Though attractive in appearance, it has a a rancid smell. The smell is due to butyric acid in the fleshy part of the fruit; and for this reason it is male trees that are usually cultivated. The male trees produce small cone-like reproductive structures, not dis-similar to those seen on other gymnosperms. Read more...
