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].

Edible Uses: Seed - raw (in small quantities), or cooked[237]. A soft and oily texture[229], the seed has a sweet flavour[2, 63] and tastes somewhat like a large pine nut[237]. The baked seed makes very pleasant eating, it has a taste rather like a cross between potatoes and sweet chestnuts[K]. The seed can be boiled and used in soups, porridges etc[183, 237]. It needs to be heated before being eaten in order to destroy a mildly acrimonious principle[57]. Another report says that the seed can be eaten raw[132] whilst another says that large quantities of the seed are toxic[218]. See the notes above on toxicity for more details[237]. The raw seed is said to have a fish-like flavour[218]. The seed is rich in niacin[160]. It is a good source of starch and protein, but is low in fats[237]. These fats are mostly unsaturated or monosaturated[237]. A more detailed nutritional analysis is available[218]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[2, 183].

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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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