Ginkgo

ancient · living fossil · gymnosperms · trees

A true survivor.. Ginkgos are so old that they were alive when dinosaurs roamed Earth. The order they belong to, Ginkgoales, first appeared 270 million years ago during the Permian period.

Last one standing.. Ginkgo is now the only living genus in its entire order. Almost all of its cousins died out by the end of the Pliocene period, but Ginkgo biloba kept going.

Wild only in China.. Today, ginkgos grow wild naturally only in China, though people have planted them in gardens and cities all around the world.

Evolution nearly stopped.. Ginkgos change so slowly that they have remained almost identical for millions of years, making them one of nature's greatest examples of a living fossil.

Seed makers, not flower makers.. Ginkgos are gymnosperms, which means they produce seeds but not flowers, putting them in a different plant group than most trees you see today.