The Ginkgo Biloba tree has so many fascinating stories and facts linked to it that its common name should be “Jaw Dropping Tree”. This fascinating fossil, rarity, survivor and healer is truly a marvel. Yes, we’re being effusive, but read on and you’ll find out why!
An Ancient Survivor
The earth has been through five global extinctions with the Permian extinction wiping out 90% of marine and 70% of terrestrial life.
- Permian-Triassic extinction: ~ 253 million years ago
- Triassic-Jurassic extinction: 201 million years (80% of species made extinct)
- K-Pg extinction: 66 million years ago (70% of species made extinct)
The Ginkgo Biloba's origins started 300 million years ago! The plant family Ginkgoatae started diversifying, during that time, into more than sixteen genera. The genus Ginkgo first made its appearance around 170 million years ago (MYA).
It is now the only survivor of that ancient tree group that existed before dinosaurs dominated Earth! It is one of the few living things that are descriptively called living fossils. Actual fossils of the tree’s leaves that were uncovered date back to over 200 MYA and are almost 100% identical to contemporary leaves.
How Unique Is The Ginkgo
This amazing tree is a singular species nowadays, but that word doesn’t explain the magnitude of the word singular. Ginkgo Biloba is the:
- Only only surviving member of its genus, viz Ginkgo
- Ginkgo is the only surviving member of its family, viz Ginkgoaceae
- Ginkgoaceae is the only surviving member of its order, viz Ginkgoales
- Ginkgoales is the only surviving member of its subclass, viz Ginkgoidae
You don’t get more singular than that! It is an amazing tree.
More Interesting Facts
The word “Biloba”, which is part of the species name, is derived from the distinct shape of its leaves. It means “two lobes”. We think the leaves look like the fans in the headdresses of Japanese Oiran from the late 19th century and early 20th century.
The more common name for a Gingko Biloba is a maidenhair tree, and this is a descriptive reference to the similarity between its leaves and those of the maidenhair fern (Adiantum).
Another interesting fact is that the Ginkgo is the only surviving connection between ferns and conifers!
These solitary survivors can grow to the majestic height of 40 m and have a beautiful crown of bright green in summer, followed by a magnificent crown of yellow during Autumn. The leaves also allow the sun to filter through them, so the tree actually glows yellow. It then slowly drops these yellow beauties and creates a huge, magnificent yellow carpet around it while still maintaining a strong crown of yellow.
Why Is It Used For Herbal Tea?
Ginkgo is a good source of flavonoids which supply powerful antioxidant properties. They are also a source of terpenoids which enhance circulation via the dilation of blood vessels and diminishing the "stickiness" of platelets.
Order your Ginkgo Biloba Leaves from livloNG today and start benefitting from this amazing tree!