Ginkgoes

**GINKGOE** **History:**  Ginkgoes are living fossils that date back from the Permian, a time of almost 270 million years ago. They are known as “seed ferns” and belong to the ancestral group called “ Pteridospermatophyta” under the subgroup called “Peltaspermales.” Their fossils first appeared in the Early Jurassic time, spreading through out Laurasia. They have lasted from the middle Jurassic times to Early Cretaceous. At the time of the Pilocene, Ginko fossils stopped becoming so diverse and were now only in a small secluded part of the world. They are credited for being one of the oldest seed plant species alive as well as the last species on the gyngophyta phylum __Further notes:__ **Reproduction** :  The reproduction of the Ginkgo has been one of the aspects that has contributed on their long lasting timeline on this world. The seed of a ginkgo can reproduce in an area even without water. The covering of the seed ends up protecting the Ginkgo and keeping it from becoming harmed from harsh environments and conditions. There are male and female trees in the cycle that lead to this reproduction. __Male Trees:__ __Female Trees:__ __ Random Fact: __ The seed is known for having the terrible stench of rotten milk or vomit, although this is a defense mechanism from the plant to protect itself from predators. **Fertilization** :  <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">In fertilization, once the open stem has released the sperm, and the sperm has fertilized the ovule, the fruiting body is developed completely. Once that has occurred, it falls to the ground and decays, producing the horrible stench. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">After the seed coat is cracked open after being weakened, it eventually cracks open again. This releases thousands of seeds, which are later reproduced by wind, animals, and other factors before they begin sprouting again. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal;">**Locations** <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">:  <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Despite having been so diverse during its beginnings, the Ginkgoes have now appeared mostly in China and just some rural parts of the United States. Though they are adept at surviving harsh conditions, they thrive better in serene locations. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Despite managing to reproduce in places where there is no water, the environments where it grows best must be well-watered. Though the plants can survive harsh conditions, they, of course, manage to thrive in places that are not so disturbed or challenging to live in. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">**Human Uses:** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Because of their locations and composition, Ginkgoes were mostly cultivated in China and used for medicine. It is speculated that Ginkgoes could cure cases of Alzheimer’s Disease, and for now have been used to treat dementia, and any type of memory problems. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">It is not only used for food, but since it has began to be tested <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">in labs since the 1970's, they have not only been found to be useful for medicine, but also for culinary practices, such as a delicious dish named chawanmushi, served in special occasions such as weddings.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">They are living fossils that developed from Ginko Biloba.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Part of the Gynkgophyta phylum.
 * “<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Seed Ferns” is another name for them. This is because their ancient form resembled ferns.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Over time, they have developed into vascular plants. They have formed dense forests over many areas on Earth.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Seeds, not spores, are produced. [[image:http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQCa4ZSH6ALJ1gQAMpFHO1BQv2AzjN3YHz0mV0qQQb6GGZ3hXPo]]
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">In the reproduction of trees, the male produces sporophylls
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">In there, two sperm cells are contained.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Pollen is released.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">This is transferred by wind to a female trees.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">It is then fertilized and the reproduction begins.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Produce “catkins” which are pollen producing organs.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">These organs produce 3-celled pollen which are blown free on the wind, as stated above.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Produce a ovule containing 3-seed cells and a small container of luqid at the tip.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Pollen enters the tip of the ovule and implants in the seed coat, leading to the stem to be opened and releases the sperm inside.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Also can improve blood flow.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Protects tissue and organs against cell damage.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Treats problems in the respiratory system.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Also in the cardiovascular and central nervous system.