{"id":65600,"key":"Gingko","title":"Gingko","latest":{"id":1223058,"timestamp":"2026-01-08T21:48:43Z"},"content_model":"wikitext","license":{"url":"https://www.appropedia.org/Appropedia:Copyrights","title":"CC-BY-SA-4.0"},"source":"{{Topic notice}}\n\n[[File:Gingkotreeyellow.png|center|500px]]\n\n'''Gingko''' (''Gingko biloba'') eventually grows into a large tree, also known as \"Maidenhair tree\". It is a deciduous tree with a very ancient heritage as the oldest tree on Earth. It is extremely hardy, long-lived.<ref name=\"ces\" />\n\nIt originates from China.\n\nGingko can tolerate drought, heat, air pollution and salt.<ref name=\"ces\">https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/ginkgo-biloba/</ref>\n\n== Description ==\n\nThis plant has light-green to emerald coloured leaves. The leaves form in a fan shape. In autumn, the leaves turn a rich yellow.\n\nThe female tree has seeds and fruit shaped like plums with a fleshy pulp. As it ripens, it smells foul to the human sense of smell.\n\nThe tree eventually grows to around 40 to 70 feet in height.<ref name=\"ces\" />\n\n== Growing gingko ==\n\nThe gingko plant can be grown in a container for many years.\n\nIt is important to choose a male plant if you're planning on planting the gingko in the garden to grow it to full tree size. Female trees produce fruits that smell bad and create a great deal of mess. As large trees, they are very costly to remove at this stage. Choose cultivated varieties.\n\nChoose a site with full sun, although the plant can tolerate shade. It will grow in many soil types but not wet soil.<ref name=\"ces\" />\n\n== Uses for gingko ==\n\nGrow as an ornamental tree; it is often grown as a street tree.\n\n== Caution ==\n\nThe fruit is messy; the female fruit is also foul smelling.<ref name=\"ces\" />\n\nThe juice of the seed pulp can irritate the skin, and if eaten can irritate the lips, mouth, throat and cause stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea.<ref name=\"ces\" /> The plant contains an alkyl phenol and gingkolic acid. The seed can only be eaten after removing the outer pulp, washing it and boiling or roasting it.<ref name=\"ces\" />\n\nThe fruit is toxic if eaten in large quantities, while skin irritation is of short duration.<ref name=\"ces\" />\n\n== Sources and citations ==\n\n<references />\n\n{{Page data\n| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0\n| description = The Ginkgo tree is ancient and resilient. Appropedia details its care, health benefits, and cautions for gardeners interested in this symbolic species.\n}}\n\n[[Category:Trees]]\n[[Category:Herbs]]"}