Leaves of long shoots are usually notched or lobed, but only from the outer surface, between the veins. The old common name, maidenhair tree, derives from the leaves resembling pinnae of the maidenhair fern, Adiantum capillus-veneris.Ginkgos are prized for their autumn foliage, which is a deep saffron yellow. The leaves are usually 5–10 cm (2–4 in), but sometimes up to 15 cm (6 in) long. Two veins enter the leaf blade at the base and fork repeatedly in two this is known as dichotomous venation. The leaves are unique among seed plants, being fan-shaped with veins radiating out into the leaf blade, sometimes bifurcating (splitting), but never anastomosing to form a network. The specific epiphet biloba is New Latin for 'two-lobed'. This misspelling was included by Carl Linnaeus in his book Mantissa plantarum II and has become the name of the tree's genus. It is considered that he may have misspelled 'Ginkjo' or 'Ginkio' (both consistent with his treatment of Japanese kyo in the same work) as 'Ginkgo'. Įngelbert Kaempfer first introduced the spelling ginkgo in his book Amoenitatum Exoticarum. The spelling pronunciation / ˈ ɡ ɪ ŋ k ɡ oʊ/ is also documented in some dictionaries. ĭespite its spelling, which is due to a complicated etymology including a transcription error, 'ginkgo' is usually pronounced / ˈ ɡ ɪ ŋ k oʊ/, which has given rise to the common alternative spelling 'gingko'. The genus name is regarded as a misspelling of the Japanese pronunciation gin kyo ( ) for the kanji 銀杏 meaning 'silver apricot', which is found in Chinese herbology literature such as 日用本草 (Daily Use Materia Medica) (1329) and Compendium of Materia Medica 本草綱目 published in 1578. Ginkgo leaf extract is commonly used as a dietary supplement, but there is no scientific evidence that it supports human health or is effective against any disease.

The tree was cultivated early in human history and remains commonly planted. Fossils very similar to the living species, belonging to the genus Ginkgo, extend back to the Middle Jurassic approximately 170 million years ago.

It is the last living species in the order Ginkgoales, which first appeared over 290 million years ago. Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or gingko ( / ˈ ɡ ɪ ŋ k oʊ, ˈ ɡ ɪ ŋ k ɡ oʊ/ GINK-oh, -⁠goh), also known as the maidenhair tree, is a species of gymnosperm tree native to China.

Pterophyllus salisburiensis J.Nelson, nom.

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