Maidenhair tree, Ginkgo nut

It is a temperate plant. It resists pollution. It needs shelter from strong winds. It does best in deep, fertile soil. It can tolerate frost. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Also known as:

Bai guo, Icho, Dvokrpi ginko, Kaba-oo-bin, Kew tree, Pa kewo, Pa kuo, Ya-chiao-tzu, Yin xing shu

Synonyms

Ginkgo macrophylla K. Koch

Salisburia biloba (L.) Hoffmanns

Edible Portion

Seeds, Nuts, Nuts-oil, Caution

Where does Maidenhair tree grow?

Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Czech Republic, East Africa, Estonia, Europe, France, Germany, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Taiwan, Tasmania, Turkey, United States, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There is only one Ginkgo species.

Status: The nuts are canned and sold internationally. The fruit are also sold in markets.

Growing Maidenhair tree, Ginkgo nut

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings in autumn. They can also be grown by grafting. Seed have a hard coat and need to be soaked in water before planting. Trees should not be pruned as this causes branches to die back.

Edible Uses: CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous if eaten raw. They should not be eaten by people on antidepressants or by pregnant women. The seeds are cooked or roasted and are edible and nutritious. They are used in both sweet and savoury dishes. The seeds are soaked in hot water to loosen the skins then roasted. They turn green. They are used in soups, stews, stir-fried dishes, and drinks. The nuts yield an edible oil.

Production: Seedlings are grown for 3-4 years before planting out. Fruit does not appear until trees are at least 20 years old. Flowers are fertilised by free swimming male sperm which reach the ovules through a film of water. The nuts store well in the shell but only for a short time once out of the shell. Trees can live for over 1,000 years.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part	Energy (kcal)	Protein (g)	Iron (mg)	Vitamin A (ug)	Vitamin c (mg)	Zinc (mg)	% Water
Nuts	184	4.3	1	56	15	0.34	55.2

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