Gingko
Gingko biloba
Family Ginkoaceae

Characteristics:
* Leaves simple, shaped like an open fan, with veins radiating fan-like from the stem, deciduous, bright yellow in autumn, 2-3 1/2" wide.
* The tree is diecious, meaning that the male and female reproductive parts are on separate trees.
* Fruits plumlike, orange-yellow when ripe, 1". The thin, pulpy flesh encloses a large white seed. The pulp gives off a foul odor as it disintegrates.
* Height: Up to 100'.

Natural History:
* Gingko is native to Asia, and is cultivated and planted as an ornamental tree in the United States.

Connections!
* Gingkos are often seen lining city streets. Why? They actually help absorb pollution! NICK: I've heard this, but do you know why or how?

* Although gingko leaves change color in autumn and otherwise appear to be similar to angiosperm trees, they are actually gymnosperms. In their own taxonomic division, Gingkophyta, they are the only surviving members of a group of trees that was widely distributed in prehistoric times.

* Today, gingko trees are rarely, if ever, found growing outside of cultivation. Usually only the male tree is planted because of the fetid odor of the female fruits.