Botanical Insights: Discover the distinctive features of the Ginkgo tree:

Description: Ginkgos (Ginkgo biloba), towering members of the Ginkgoaceae family, typically attain heights of 20–35 m (66–115 feet), with some majestic specimens in China exceeding 50 m (164 feet).

These trees showcase an angular crown and lengthy, somewhat unpredictable branches, displaying resilience against wind and snow damage with deep-rooted strength. In youth, they stand tall and slender, sparsely branched, evolving into broader-crowned entities as they mature. As autumn descends, their leaves transform into a vibrant yellow before gracefully falling, sometimes within a brief span of one to 15 days.

Ginkgo branches extend through the growth of shoots adorned with regularly spaced leaves, a common sight in most trees. From the leaf axils, "spur shoots" (or short shoots) emerge on second-year growth, characterized by short internodes and unlobed leaves. These shoots, short and knobby, align regularly on branches, except on first-year growth. The leaves, unique among seed plants, take on a fan-shaped appearance with veins radiating into the leaf blade, occasionally bifurcating to form a network. This venation pattern, dichotomous venation, sees two veins entering the leaf blade at the base, repeatedly forking.

Ginkgos exhibit dioecious tendencies, existing as either male or female trees. Males produce diminutive pollen cones with spirally arranged sporophylls, while females, devoid of cones, harbor ovules at the end of a stalk. Post-pollination, one or both ovules may develop into seeds.

A blend of disease resistance, wood resilient to insects, and the capacity to form aerial roots and sprouts contributes to the Ginkgo's longevity, with some specimens claiming ages surpassing 2,500 years.

Common Names & Nomenclature: Dubbed the "maidenhair tree" due to leaves resembling the pinnae of the maidenhair fern, Adiantum capillus-veneris. The specific epithet "biloba" derives from the Latin "bis," meaning 'two,' and "loba," meaning 'lobed,' an allusion to the distinctive shape of the leaves.

Also known as: Bal guo, maidenhair tree.

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