Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba
The Dutch name for this tree (Japanse notenboom) is deceptive; this tree neither comes from Japan nor does it produce nuts.
This tree is also called an ‘eendenpootboom’ (ducks-foot tree) in Dutch.
The ginkgo in a nutshell
- inhabits
- China
- flowers in
- April and May
- excels at
- resisting disease
Leaves
The ginkgo is best known for its interesting and unique leaves. The tree was originally a conifer, but the needles fused together over thousands of years of evolution, resulting in a leaf that is somewhere between coniferous and deciduous. The ‘biloba’ part of the scientific name refers to the two lobes of the leaf. In autumn, the leaves of this tree turn a beautiful, eye-catching bright yellow.
Living fossil
This tree has been around for 270 million years, and is the only surviving member of the Ginkgo species. These trees predate the time of the dinosaurs, which lived between 225 and 65 million years ago. This means that ginkgos were witness to both the rise and fall of the dinosaurs.
Disease resistance
The ginkgo is very long-lived and remarkably resistant to disease, insects and fire. The tree’s deep roots help it to withstand many weather conditions. They are also one of the few tree species able to survive in areas with heavy air pollution, making them particularly suitable for planting in urban areas.
Smelly
The ginkgo is dioecious, which means that male and female flowers grow on separate trees. After fertilisation, the female trees produce fleshy yellow fruits resembling plums. In Japan and China, the fruit, seeds and extracts obtained from this tree are believed to help with various diseases, and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The fruit of the female tree emits an odour reminiscent of rancid butter that attracts insects. This odour can sometimes be smelled at ARTIS too.
