Ginkgo folium

Ginkgo macrophyllaK.KochPterophyllus salisburiensisJ.Nelson, nom.‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ illeg.Salisburia adiantifoliaSm., nom. illeg.Salisburia biloba(L.) Hoffmanns.Salisburia ginkgoRich., nom. illeg.Salisburia macrophyllaReyn. Ginkgo biloba, commonly known asginkgo(/ˈɡɪŋkoʊ,ˈɡɪŋkɡoʊ/GINK-oh, -goh),also known as themaidenhair tree,and often misspelled "gingko" (seeEtymologybelow) is a species ofgymnospermtree native toEast Asia. It is the last living species in the orderGinkgoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago.Fossilssimilar to the living species, belonging to the genusGinkgo, extend back to theMiddle Jurassicepoch about 170 million years ago.The tree was cultivated early inhuman history, remains commonly planted, and is widely regarded as aliving fossil. G. bilobais a long-lived,disease-resistant,dioecioustree with unique fan-shapedleaves, capable ofclonal reproduction, and known for its striking yellow autumn foliage and resilience in disturbed environments. It was known historically as "silver fruit" or "white fruit" inChineseand called "ginkgo" due to a centuries-old transcription error. It is closely related tocycadsand characterized by uniqueseedsthat resembleapricotsbut are not truefruits. G. biloba, once widespread but thoughtextinctin the wild for centuries, is now commonly cultivated in East Asia, with some genetically diverse populations possibly representing rare wild survivors insouthwestern China's mountainous regions. SomeG. bilobatrees have survived extreme events like theHiroshima atomic bomb. Others show extreme longevity;G. bilobaspecimens have been measured in excess of 1,600 years, and the largest living trees are estimated to exceed 3,500 years.Today, it is widely planted incitiesworldwide for itspollutiontolerance and ornamental value. G. bilobawoodis valued for its durability and used incraftsandsake-making, while its seeds are popular inAsian cuisinedespite health risks, including potentialcarcinogenicity,allergic reactions, poisoning due toginkgotoxin,drug interactions, andadverse effectssuch asbleedingandneurologicalsymptoms, especially with excessive or improper use. Ginkgo-based products are widely marketed forcognitivebenefits, although clinical research shows limited medical effectiveness except possibly fordementia, with approval in theEuropean Unionbut not by theUnited StatesFood and Drug Administration.