Ginkgo

Botanische kenmerken

Deciduous tree, up to 30 m, with light green fan-shaped leaves divided into two lobes — hence 'biloba'. Turns bright yellow in autumn.

Herkomst

China; the sole surviving species of an otherwise extinct plant order that dates back over 200 million years.

Traditioneel gebruik

Cultivated for centuries in Chinese temple gardens. Introduced to European apothecary tradition via 18th-century botanists.

Interessante weetjes

Ginkgo trees survived the Hiroshima blast: six specimens near the epicentre re-sprouted the following spring.