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Maidenhair Tree

Topic Categories: Image of the DayMy PicturesPhotography and camerasTree bark
Posted on: July 4, 2008 2:59 PM, by "GrrlScientist"

tags: , , ,

Bark of the maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba.

Image: GrrlScientist 2008 [larger view].

Comments

#1

I'm in korea, so this tree is very common around here. A couple of factoids. NOTHING attacks it; no bugs, no fungi, nothing.
Although a gymnosperm, it produces a sort of fruit: when ripe, it's about the size of a grape. It's yellow and smells like vomit. The seed is edible; it looks like a small fava bean, and is quite tasty, although it causes constipation in moderate quantities (> about 6) and may be toxic at higher doses.

Just me showing off....

Derek Lactin

Posted by: djlactin | July 4, 2008 11:10 PM

#2

interesting! i knew it smelled like vomit because it does that here in NYC, too. but i hadn't thought that the seeds were edible, although that does make sense ..

Posted by: "GrrlScientist" | July 5, 2008 12:01 AM

#3

The species is dioecious, so only the female trees stink. The leaves of both sexes turn the most beautiful brilliant yellow in the fall, at least at my latitude.

Posted by: Sven DiMilo | July 5, 2008 11:29 AM

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