These are seeds of Ginkgo biloba, a member of the Ginkgoaceae family, known for its unique and ancient characteristics. The Ginkgo biloba is a highly sought-after plant due to its distinctive fan-shaped leaves and its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, making it an excellent choice for bonsai and garden cultivation.
Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous tree that can reach a height of 10-12 meters in culture. The branches of the tree grow whorl away from the trunk almost at right angles, and the bark is brownish-gray. The leaves are leathery, fan-shaped, and about 9 cm wide, with a special venation called dichotomous, which is considered one of the oldest and is characteristic of ferns. Ginkgo biloba is a dioecious plant, with male trees producing pollen in spikelets resembling catkins, and female trees producing two ovules on long legs. In autumn, the seeds ripen in a juicy amber-yellow shell, about 3 cm in diameter, with an unpleasant smell of rancid oil.
Ginkgo biloba is native to China, specifically in the southeastern regions. It typically grows in well-drained soils and full sun, and can thrive in a variety of climates, from temperate to subtropical. The tree can be found in mountainous regions, at altitudes ranging from 100 to 1000 meters above sea level.
Ginkgo biloba has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, with its leaves containing biologically active substances, including unique compounds called ginkgolides and bilobalides. The tree is also known for its beauty, with its openwork crown, fresh green color in summer, and yellow-golden autumn foliage, making it a popular choice for modern garden design. Additionally, Ginkgo biloba is considered a living fossil, with fossil records dating back to the early Jurassic period, over 200 million years ago.
Perennial: Y