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Saturday, July 7, 2018

July Ultimate Blog Challenge - ginkgo

(Thanks to
for the photo)

The word of the day is ginkgo. I'm sure you've heard of the ginkgo tree, considered a living fossil. Only found in the wild in China, it's cultivated around the world. It has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine but  mainly it’s the seeds that are used. When the female ginkgo trees shed their leaves and berries, they smell like vomit. So why do people still plant them?

It's a survivor. A ginkgo can live hundreds of years in a city. Through London smog, New York congestion, and Washington’s swampy summers, the ginkgo has been the old standby. This slow-growing tree gives us a big show during fall when its leaves turn a vibrant yellow.

Some experts theorize the ginkgo smell would have attracted dinosaurs to eat it. It’s the outer part of the seed that produces the smell, so if you happen to have a tree that's bothersome, try to pick the berries before they fall to the ground.

For the definitive word on  the ginkgo tree, check out this site: 
https://e360.yale.edu/features/peter_crane_history_of_ginkgo_earths_oldest_tree

Satisfying my curiosity about this unique tree got me thinking. Learning of a plant that's been around since dinosaurs trod the planet made me more conscious of how short my days here on this earth are in comparison. 

I had to ask myself, am I making the most of the limited time I have? Is there more I can do to leave this a better place?  

2 comments:

  1. Gingkos are one tough tree, and if it wasn't for their fruit, they would be almost ideal. They have beautiful leaves and such wonderful fall color. Another fact about them is that if you plant males (which, of course don't produce the smelly fruit) some of them can change into females. Some municipalities have found that out, too late.

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  2. Yes, I'd read that in my research. Seems like nothing is perfect. Thank for commenting.

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