Ginkgo biloba – Maidenhair Tree – 5 Seed Pack
R85,00
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53 in stock
Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or gingko and maidenhair tree, is a deciduous species of gymnosperm tree native to China. It is the last living species in the order Ginkgoales, and the family Ginkgoaceae. The Ginkgo is the sole living link between the lower and higher plants, between ferns and conifers. The Ginkgo is neither a broadleaf tree nor is it a conifer, it has a unique position in the plant kingdom. Recent research suggests a much closer relationship to the cycads than to the conifers. Most gymnosperms have both sexes on the same plant, but the Ginkgo is a dioecious gymnosperm, meaning trees are either male or female. Ginkgo are large trees, normally reaching a height of 20 to 35 m, with some specimens in China being over 50 m. The tree is deep-rooted and resistant to wind and snow damage. A combination of resistance to disease, insect-resistant wood, and the ability to form aerial roots and sprouts makes ginkgo durable, with some specimens claimed to be more than 2,500 years old. The leaves are an easy recognizable feature of the deciduous Ginkgo biloba. The leaf resembles the leaf shape of a Maidenhair fern (Adiantum), hence the plant’s nickname, the Maidenhair tree. The leaves turn golden yellow in autumn before falling. The extract of the dried leaves has been used as a diet supplement and herbal medicine for the brain, legs, eyes, heart and ears. Scientific studies show that a good quality extract may improve blood circulation and memory, prevent blood clotting, repair damage by free radicals and give an improved sense of well-being. The leaves are also used as tea for a variety of ailments. It is a popular subject for use in the art of bonsai.