Ginkgo biloba is among the oldest living tree species.

It not only holds an important position in the field of botany but is also regarded as a symbol of culture and nature.

The history of the Ginkgo tree on Earth can be traced back to 270 million years ago. It is one of the few "living fossils" on Earth. Its existence spans multiple geological eras and has witnessed the rise and fall of countless organisms and the dramatic changes in the Earth's environment.

Over the long years, many other plant species have become extinct, but only Ginkgo has survived tenaciously. This makes the Ginkgo tree a unique research object in the eyes of botanists and evolutionary biologists.

Ginkgo has very unique characteristics, especially its fan-shaped leaves. These leaves turn golden yellow every autumn, forming a dazzling sight. Ginkgo's leaves are not only visually striking, but their structure is also very different from other tree species.

The leaves of the Ginkgo tree do not have obvious veins, which makes it particularly special in botanical classification. Ginkgo belongs to the gymnosperm, which means that its seeds are not wrapped in fruits, but are directly exposed, a feature that is relatively rare in modern plants.

In ancient times, ginkgo trees were widely distributed around the world, especially in parts of North America and Europe. However, with the changes in climate and environment, ginkgo trees gradually disappeared in these areas, and now wild ginkgo trees only exist in parts of China.

Although the distribution range of wild ginkgo has shrunk, under the influence of humans, ginkgo trees are widely cultivated around the world, especially in cities in Asian countries and Europe and the United States, where ginkgo trees are widely used as ornamental trees.

The medicinal value of ginkgo also provides another explanation for its long-term existence. Ginkgo seeds and leaves are widely used in traditional medicines.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that ginkgo has many effects such as promoting blood circulation, improving memory, and anti-oxidation. These therapeutic effects make ginkgo a popular subject for pharmacological research.

Modern studies have shown that ginkgo extracts have a certain preventive and mitigating effect on certain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. However, although the medicinal value of ginkgo is widely recognized, its use still needs to be cautious.

Excessive consumption of ginkgo seeds may cause poisoning reactions, especially untreated ginkgo seeds containing a chemical called cyanogenic glycosides, which will have toxic effects on the human body after consumption.

A distinctive trait of the ginkgo tree is its remarkable resilience. Ginkgo trees can still survive tenaciously under many harsh environmental conditions. The most famous example is the explosion in Hiroshima. Ginkgo trees were one of the few organisms that survived the ruins after the explosion.

Despite the strong shock wave and extremely high temperature, the ginkgo trees near the center of the explosion miraculously did not die and quickly recovered in the following years.

This event provided vivid proof of the tenacious vitality of the ginkgo tree and also made the ginkgo tree a symbol of peace and vitality in modern times, especially in Japan, where many ginkgo trees are regarded as sacred symbols and are specially protected.

In addition to its scientific and medical significance, the ginkgo tree also occupies an important position in human culture. In China and Japan, the ginkgo tree symbolizes longevity, hope, and perseverance.

Ginkgo trees are often planted in temples and ancient imperial palaces as a symbol of praying for longevity and auspiciousness. In Japan, the leaves of the ginkgo tree are also used as the emblem of Tokyo, symbolizing the prosperity and tenacity of the city.

In many literary and artistic works, ginkgo trees often appear as a symbol, representing the passage of time, the accumulation of history, and the power of nature.

As one of the oldest tree species on earth, the ginkgo tree is not just a plant, it is more like a witness of nature, silently recording the changes of the earth and the rise and fall of human civilization.

Its tenacious vitality, unique biological characteristics, and important position in human culture give the ginkgo tree an irreplaceable symbolic meaning. In the future, as people's understanding of ginkgo trees continues to deepen, this ancient tree species may continue to shine more dazzlingly in the new era.