Ginkgo biloba Maidenhair tree (Ginkgoaceae) Deciduous tree

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Ginkgo biloba
Maidenhair tree
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Ginkgo biloba plant species is found in E. Asia - N. China. It is a member of the Ginkgoaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Maidenhair tree. Some home gardeners know the variety as Salisburia adiantifolia.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Ginkgo biloba
Common Name:  Maidenhair tree
Family:  Ginkgoaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The seed contains a mildly acrimonious principle that is unstable when heated. It is therefore best to cook the seed before eating it to ensure any possible toxicity is destroyed. This acrimonious principle is probably 4'-methoxypyridoxine, which can destroy vitamin B6[237]. It is more toxic for children, but the raw nuts would have to be eaten often over a period of time for the negative effects to become apparent[237].

Mature Height:  30   Mature Width:  9

Habitat:  Found wild in only 2 localities at Guizhou and on the Anhui/Zhejiang border[200], where it grows on rich sandy soils[147].

Propagation Notes: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame or in a sheltered outdoor bed[78, 80]. The seed requires stratification according to one report[78] whilst another says that stratification is not required[80] and that the seed can be sown in spring but that it must not have been allowed to dry out[80]. Germination is usually good to fair. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the following spring[78, 80] and consider giving them some protection from winter cold for their first winter outdoors[K]. Softwood cuttings in a frame in spring[238]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. The cutting may not grow away in its first year but usually grows all right after that[113]. Cuttings of mature wood, December in a frame[200].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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