Ginkgo
biloba (Ginkgoaceae), a primitive gymnosperm has
distinctive fan-shaped leaves and foul smelled fruits. It
is a living fossil once thought to have been extinct, but
later discovered still growing in China. Chinese Buddhist
Monks planted this plant in monastaries for its beauty
and its edible seeds. Now, Ginkgo is widely planted in
temperate regions. Fossil records indicate that species
of Ginkgo were abundant in Triassic and Jurassic periods
(from 200-230 million years ago), the periods when
dinosaurs still roamed the earth. Recently, the extant
Ginkgo biloba is medicinally valued. It is believed to
contain compounds which can prevent heart disease,
improve memory, and help Alzheimer's sufferers. The above
leaves were collected in October 1999, Ottawa, Canada.
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