Ginkgo biloba, often called the ginkgo or maidenhair tree, is a unique and ancient deciduous species, the sole survivor of a lineage dating back over 200 million years. It is easily recognized by its fan-shaped, bilobed leaves with delicate radiating veins that turn a brilliant golden-yellow in autumn, creating spectacular seasonal displays. Reaching 20–35 meters at maturity, the tree develops a strong, upright form and rugged, furrowed bark with age. Ginkgo is dioecious, with separate male and female trees—female trees bearing plum-like seeds with a fleshy outer layer that emits a strong odor when ripe, leading many urban plantings to favor males. Noted for exceptional tolerance to pollution, disease, and poor soils, Ginkgo biloba is widely planted in cities worldwide and regarded as a living fossil—an enduring symbol of longevity, resilience, and botanical history.
