GINKGOACEAE - - Ginkgo Family

* Ginkgo biloba Linnaeus — Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree

* this species is not native to the United States

Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba) - The Ginkgo is a living fossil, recognizably similar to fossils dating back 270 million years. Native to China, the tree is widely cultivated. It has various uses in traditional medicine and as a source of food. G. biloba was thought to be extinct, but then was found growing in monasterys in eastern China, believed to have been preserved by Chinese Monks. However, the populations in southwestern China, which are older than the surrounding settlements, are now thought to be wild. Ginkgos are large trees, normally reaching a height of 66–115 feet, with some specimens in China being over 164 feet. Usually only male trees are planted because of the rancid odor of the fruit. The autumn color is a beautiful clear yellow and almost all the leaves fall in one day. If you want to see this giant specimen, it is in City Park in downtown Ft. Payne, AL.

Habitat:

Frequently planted, rarely escaped to suburban woodlands and yards; native to se. China. Ginkgo is only weakly naturalized in our area.

Habitat information from:
Weakley, Alan S., Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States, Working Draft of 21 May 2015.

The range of Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree)

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].

The Georgia range of Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo, Maidenhair Tree)

Zomlefer, W.B., J.R. Carter, & D.E. Giannasi. 2014 (and ongoing). The Atlas of Georgia Plants. University of Georgia Herbarium (Athens, Georgia) and Valdosta State University Herbarium (Valdosta, Georgia). Available at: http://www.georgiaherbaria.org/.