Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba, Mant. Pl. 2: 313 (1771))

Family: Ginkgoaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Mant. Pl. 2: 313 (1771)

Year: 1771

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ginkgo

Vegetable: False

Observations: China (Zhejiang)

Description

Ginkgo, scientifically known as Ginkgo biloba, is a unique and ancient tree that has captured the fascination of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. Documented in 1771 by the renowned taxonomist Carl Linnaeus in his work Mantissa Plantarum, Ginkgo is the sole survivor of a once extensive group of plants. This species is particularly noteworthy for its distinct fan-shaped leaves and its resilience, having existed virtually unchanged for millions of years.

Native to the Zhejiang province in China, Ginkgo biloba holds a significant place in both the natural world and human culture. Historically, it has been cultivated not only for its ornamental value but also for its medicinal properties, which have been revered in traditional Chinese medicine. The tree’s seeds, often called “silver apricots,” and its leaves are harvested for their purported health benefits, contributing to its status as a living fossil with an enduring legacy.

Belonging to the family Ginkgoaceae, Ginkgo biloba is often found in temple gardens and urban landscapes due to its ability to withstand pollution and adverse conditions. Despite its resilience and adaptability, the natural populations of Ginkgo in the wild are considered rare, making its conservation a priority.

The Ginkgo tree’s unique evolutionary history and its ongoing relevance to both culture and science make it a subject of continued study and admiration. Its presence in ancient Chinese horticulture and its subsequent spread across the world highlight the intricate relationship between nature and human civilization. Ginkgo biloba stands as a testament to nature’s enduring beauty and complexity.

Common Names

Fra: abricotier d’argent, arbre aux quarante écus, ginkgo, ginkgo biloba, noyer du japon
Eng: common ginkgo, ginkgo, maidenhair tree, maidenhair-tree
Deu: ginkgo, ginkgobaum
Por: gingo, ginkgo, nogueira-do-japão, árvore-avenca, árvore-da-vida, árvore-dos-quarenta-escudos, árvore-dos-templos
Swe: ginkgo
Hun: páfrányfenyő
Nld: ginkgo
Zho: bai guo, yinxing
Lat: ginkgo
En: Ginkgo, Maidenhair-tree, Maidenhair tree, Nanahana, Ճինքկօ, Common ginkgo, Maiden Hair Tree
Ar: جنكة بيلوبا
Hy: Գինկգո
Az: İkiayalı ginkqo
Be: Гінкга двухлопасьцевы, Гінкга
Bg: Гинко билоба
Ca: Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgo
Zh: Yin xing, 銀杏, 银杏, Bai Guo, Yinxing
Hr: Dvorežnjasti ginko
Cs: Jinan dvoulaločný
Da: Tempeltræ
Nl: Ginkgo, Japanse notenboom, Japanse Noteboom
Eo: Ginko
Et: Hõlmikpuu
Fi: Neidonhiuspuu
Fr: Ginkgo biloba, Noyer du Japon, Abricotier d’argent, Arbre aux quarante écus, Ginkgo
Gl: Xinkgo
Ka: Გინკგო
De: Ginkgo, Ginkgobaum, Fächerblattbaum, Ginkgo-Baum
El: Γκίγκο
He: גינקו דו-אונתי
Hi: जिन्को बाइलोबा
Hu: Páfrányfenyő
Is: Musteristré
Id: Ginkgo biloba
It: Ginkgo biloba, Albero dei quaranta scudi, Albero dei ventagli, Ginco, Ginkgo
Ja: Ichō
Kn: ಗಿಂಕ್ಗೊ ಬಿಲೋಬ
Kv: Гинкго
Ko: Eunhaengnamu, 은행나무
La: Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgo
Lv: Divdaivu ginks
Lt: Dviskiautis ginkmedis
Mk: Гинко
Ml: ജിൻകോ ബൈലൊബ
No: Tempeltre
Pa: ਗਿੰਕਗੋ
Ps: گینگو ونه
Fa: کهن‌دار
Pl: Miłorząb dwuklapowy
Pt: Nogueira-do-Japão, Ginkgo, Gingo, Árvore-avenca, Árvore-da-vida, Árvore-dos-quarenta-escudos, Árvore-dos-templos
Ro: Arborele pagodelor
Ru: Гинкго двулопастный
Sr: Гинко
Sk: Ginko dvojlaločné
Es: Dvokrpi ginko, Ginkgo biloba, Árbol de los escudos, Ginkgo
Sv: Ginkgo
Zh-tw: 銀杏
Ta: பாசில் மரம்
Te: జింకో
Th: แปะก๊วย
Zh-hant: 銀杏
Tr: Mabet ağacı
Uk: Гінкго дволопатеве
Vi: Bạch quả
Cy: Coeden ginco

Synonyms

• Ginkgo biloba var. fastigiata (A.Henry)
• Ginkgo biloba f. microsperma (Sugim.)
• Ginkgo biloba f. parvifolia (Sugim.)
• Ginkgo biloba var. longifolia (L.Henry)
• Salisburia adiantifolia var. pendula (Van Geert)
• Ginkgo biloba var. variegata ((Carrière) Carrière)
• Ginkgo biloba var. laciniata ((Carrière) Carrière)
• Ginkgo biloba var. pendula ((Van Geert) Carrière)
• Ginkgo biloba f. macrophylla ((Hartw. & Rümpler) Sprecher)
• Ginkgo biloba var. macrophylla (Hartw. & Rümpler)
• Ginkgo macrophylla (K.Koch)
• Ginkgo biloba f. pendula ((Van Geert) Beissn.)
• Ginkgo biloba aureovariegata (Sénécl.)
• Salisburia adiantifolia var. variegata (Carrière)
• Ginkgo biloba var. epiphylla (Makino)
• Ginkgo biloba f. adiantifolia (Sprecher ex Tobler)
• Pterophyllus salisburiensis (J.Nelson)
• Ginkgo biloba macrophylla-laciniata (Sénécl.)
• Salisburia biloba ((L.) Hoffmanns.)
• Ginkgo biloba f. variegata ((Carrière) Beissn.)
• Salisburia ginkgo (Rich.)
• Salisburia macrophylla (Reyn.)
• Ginkgo biloba f. aurea ((J.Nelson) Beissn.)
• Ginkgo biloba var. aurea ((J.Nelson) A.Henry)
• Salisburia adiantifolia var. laciniata (Carrière)
• Salisburia adiantifolia (Sm.)
• Ginkgo biloba var. triloba (A.Henry)
• Ginkgo biloba var. latifolia (L.Henry)
• Ginkgo biloba f. laciniata ((Carrière) Beissn.)
• Ginkgo biloba f. fastigiata ((A.Henry) Rehder)
• Pterophyllus salisburiensis aurea (J.Nelson)

Distribution

• China Southeast (native)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by luna S. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Jean Raymond Sire (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2017 by Vitor Loures (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by .Isabelle Chion (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Villaronga Lorenzo Lois Antón (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2021 by marko schmit (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2021 by m andrea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Miguel Angel Fernandez Perez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2018 by Diana Gavino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2021 by Siegwald Laura (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2021 by Fernando Fernández (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by Landschaftsgärtner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Nicolò LC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2019 by Peteer Cerny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2021 by mohammad fazel dehkordi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Michael Kesl (public)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Curtis Clark, licensed as noted (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2020 by tina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2019 by caladrius (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262125-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2687885)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ginkgo biloba L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.2