Maidenhair Tree

Audio Narration

Transcript

The Maidenhair tree, or Ginkgo biloba, is one of the oldest living tree species in the world. Fossils of ginkgo leaves date back more than 200 million years ago. It’s the sole survivor of an ancient group of trees from when dinosaurs roamed Earth 245 to 66 million years ago. It is the only surviving member of its genus and family.

Carbonaceous fossilized leaves of extinct ginkgo species can still be found. The fossil pictured here is from the paleontological museum in Munich, Germany.

Female ginkgo trees produce a fruit famous for having a terrible smell. As a result, most people only plant male ginkgo trees in their yards.

Living gymnosperms are one of the most threatened groups of living organisms on the planet. The ginkgo tree is also the only living connection between ferns and conifers and is in danger of extinction. Though cultivated throughout the world, they are rare in the wild with only a few natural populations in China.