Damigeron's Dungeon: Prestigious Plants - Gymnosperms

Plant Indices

Alphabetical Index (Genera)
Alphabetical Index (Vernacular)
Cladistic Index

GINGKO (Ginkgo)
Order: Ginkgoales
Family: Ginkgoaceae
Species: Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo tree at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Own work--Rhododendrites.

Names:

Gingko
Apricot Silver Tree
Apricot Tree Of The Elders
Bach Qua [Vietnamese]
Bai Guo [Chinese]
Baiguo [Chinese]
Bai-Kuo [Chinese]
Bankotsu [Japanese]
Bankyo [Japanese]
Cha-Chai [Thai]
Duck Foot Tree
Earpod Tree
Eendvoetboom [Dutch]
Elefantenohrbaum [German]
Eunhaeng [Korean]
Facherblattbaum [German]
Fossil Tree
Gian Trang [Vietnamese]
Ginkan [Japanese]
Ginko
Ginnan [Japanese]
Ginkgo
Ginkgobaum [German]
Ginkgo Tree
Ginkyo [Japanese]
Giuggiolo [Italian]
Gnekgo [Polish]
Golden Fossil Tree
Gong Sun Shu [Chinese]
Gonkgo [Polish]
Ichō [Japanese]
Icho No Ki [Japanese]
Itjo [Japanese]
Japanischer Facherbaum [German]
Japanischer Tempelbaum [German]
Jyoshinju [Japanese]
Kenja [Korean]
Kew Tree
Kung Sun Shu [Chinese]
Kung Sun Su [Korean]
Maidenhair Tree
Noix D'argent [French]
Noyer Du Japon [French]
Pagi [Korean]
Pau De Prata [Portuguese]
Pei Go Shu [Chinese]
Pei Kuo [Chinese]
Silver Apricot
Temple Tree
Yin Guo [Chinese]
Yin Hsing [Chinese]
Yin-Kuo [Chinese]
Yín Xìng [Chinese]
Yinhsing [Chinese]
Yinkuo [Chinese]

Distribution:

Asia, East: China (China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast), Japan, Korea

Physical Description
Ginkgo is a large deciduous tree growing 20-35m (65-115ft) tall, with some exceptional specimens reaching 50m (165ft) in China. It has an angular crown with somewhat erratic branches. It is typically a deep-rooted tree resistant to wind and snow damage. It can also develop aerial roots. Ginkgos are seed-bearing trees but never flower. Ginkgo wood is resilient, fire-resistant, and slow-rotting.

Young trees are tall and slender, with sparse branching. As they age, the crown grows broader and denser. Some ginkgos are thought to be more than 2,500 years old.

The leaves are unique. They are fan-shaped with radiating veins that occasionally splint but never anatomize into a network.

Ginkgo leaves in Autumn.
Own work--Joe Schneid.

Symbolism

Immortality
Due to its fire—and decay-resistant properties, the tree is a potent symbol of immortality and is sacred in China.

Loyalty
Ginkgo trees are an emblem of loyalty in Japan, where, according to legend, they are willing to die for their owner. Two ginkgo leaves are also an emblem of the city of Tokyo.

Maternal Fortune
Regarded as a lucky emblem for nursing mothers, likely due to the belief it improves milk production.

Symbol of Tokyo Prefecture.

Culture
The wood is used in furniture, carving, game boards, and casks for making sake.

Medical
We are not a medical website; do not take health advice from us.

Ginkgo has been attributed numerous (mostly questionable) medical benefits:

Dementia treatment
Tardive dyskinesia treatment in schizophrenic patients (questionable).
Post-stroke recovery
Menopause-related cognitive decline
General cognitive enhancement
Circulatory issues
Vascular depressant
Altitude sickness
Peripheral vascular disease treatment
Respiratory issues
Asthma (questionable).
Bronchitis (questionable).
Other
Lactation aid
Tinnitus
UI issues

The only institutional confirmation we have on any of these claims is tentative approval for Tardive dyskinesia treatment by the European Medicines Agency Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products.

Poison
There are numerous identified side effects of the consumption of ginkgo:

Cognitive/Nervous
Headaches
Dizziness
Restlessness
Convulsions
Circulatory
Increased risk of bleeding
Heart Palpitations
GI issues
GI discomfort
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Skin issues
Dermatitis
Blisters

Additionally, ginkgo pollen is highly allergenic.

Food
The fruit-like gametophytes inside the seeds are a traditional Chinese food. They are served in all manner of dishes on special occasions, especially vegetarian dishes. Seeds (ginnan) are also cooked.

Ginkgo seeds.
From Aomorikuma.

Compiler Notes

Ginkgo is one of the oldest tree lineages. One could easily map the meaning of immortality to its presence in the fossil record.
As a treatment against Tardive dyskinesia (TD) suggests that it might be useful in treating demonic possession. TD is a disorder of repetitive body motions involving grimacing, sticking out the tongue, smacking lips, etc., usually as a response to treatment with medication. This is superficially similar to the seizing brought on by Tetanus, interpreted as a demonic possession in the ancient and medieval world. A schizophrenic person (already interpreted as possessed) might react to treatment with TD, and that could easily be interpreted as the possessing demons attempting to cling to the body and drive away any exorcists or other treating professionals.
As a vascular depressant, it might be used effectively against rage and other heightened emotions (also easily tied into demonic possession).
Ginkgo’s fire-resistant properties make it a good wood for charms and wards against fire. Same for disease. The same might be accomplished through the representation of ginkgo leaves.
Something can definitely be done with the name "maidenhair tree." Consider cross-properties with the maidenhair fern?

Image Refs

[Img 01 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ginkgo_tree_in_Green-Wood_Cemetery_(23299p).jpg ]

[Img 02 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:GinkgoLeaves.jpg ]

[Img 03 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Symbol_of_Tokyo_Metropolis.svg ]

[Img 04 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ginkgo_Seed.JPG ]

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