GINKGO BILOBA

Class: Ginkgopsida

Order: Ginkgoales

Family: Ginkgoaceae

Ginkgo biloba – The only species that has survived to date on natural habitats in eastern China, as a relic – “living fossil” ever since (in Mesozoic – about 200 million years ago) of the richer genus Ginkgo. Today, Ginkgo biloba is monotypic not only in relation to the genus, but also with regard to family,order and class. Leafy tree that reaches a height of over 30 m, a thickness of over 2 m and an age of over 1000 years.

The trunk is the light gray, in age significantly cracked dead bark.

The offsprings are dual: long and short, similar to larch and cedrus. Those short growths are up to 3 cm long, usually with 3-6 leaves.

Leafy stem is up to 7 cm long, the leaf is 5-8 cm wide, without the main nerve, with numerous parallel dichotomous nerves. The leaf is usually with two lobes (biloba). The color is yellow in autumn: the decline in October.

Flowers appear bicameral, along with the appearance of the leaves (April – May). Pollination is by wind, and fertilization is a few months later by mobile spermatozoids.

The fruit, or seeds, was ripened in the same year (September-October), similar to plum, about 2 cm long, hanging on a handle about two times longer.

Often it is a burden in Central and Western Europe. In this respect, male specimens are better, considering the unpleasant smell of ripe seeds.

Ginkgo does not tolerate shade, but is resistant to low temperatures. Particularly fresh and deeper soil.

One of the most beautiful species in the parks.