The oldest broad leafed tree on earth. Today's ginkgos look identical to fossils from 150 million years ago. They have unusual fan shaped leaves and brilliant yellow fall color. When cross pollinated, they produce 1" long edible nuts. Nuts and leaves are prized both as a food and for medicinal properties. Hardy to Zone 3-9.
Plant two or more for nuts.When females are pollinated by a male ginkgo, they produce light orange colored nuts in a thin shell. Nuts are stir fried or roasted, primarily in Chinese, Korean & Japanese dishes.
Ginkgo nuts ripen in a fruit-like inedible husk that has a pungent odor if allowed to rot. However, if nuts are husked before the husk rots, then the bad smell isn't present.
|