Question
Here is the question : WHAT IS THE OLDEST SURVIVING TREE SPECIES?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Elm
- Ginkgo
- Oak
- Silver Birch
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
Some botanists refer to the ginkgo tree as a “living fossil” because it has been around for almost 200 million years and has remained more or less unchanged during that time. According to this, it was active and flourishing throughout the time that dinosaurs roamed the earth. The oldest known species of tree on Earth is also the only known species that does not have any relatives still alive today. There are five extant groups of seed plants, and one of those groups is the ginkgo tree. However, the ginkgo tree is the only species in its group. Because of those fossils that are 200 million years old, archaeologists and botanists know that the ginkgo has stayed relatively constant over time. The leaves of those fossils seem startlingly similar to the fan-shaped leaves that are found on modern ginkgo trees.
Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as the maidenhair tree or simply Ginkgo, is the oldest surviving tree species on the planet. It is a living fossil that has been around for over 200 million years, making it one of the most ancient living species on Earth. The Ginkgo tree has a unique and fascinating history that spans millions of years, and it is still very much alive and thriving today.
Ginkgo is native to China and is widely cultivated in many other parts of the world, including Japan, Korea, and the United States. It is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 meters tall, with a broad crown and distinctive, fan-shaped leaves. The leaves of the Ginkgo tree are unique in that they are bilobed, meaning they have two lobes that look like two distinct leaves fused together. The leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow in the fall, making the Ginkgo tree a popular ornamental plant.
The Ginkgo tree has been around since the time of the dinosaurs, and it has survived many major extinction events that wiped out other plant species. The Ginkgo tree is known for its extraordinary resilience and ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. For example, during the Ice Age, the Ginkgo tree was able to survive in small pockets of warm climate in China, which allowed it to survive and eventually spread to other parts of the world.
One of the reasons why the Ginkgo tree has been able to survive for so long is its unique reproductive system. Unlike most plants, the Ginkgo tree is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female trees. The male trees produce pollen cones, while the female trees produce ovules. The pollen is carried by the wind to the female trees, where fertilization takes place. This system helps to ensure genetic diversity and prevents inbreeding, which can lead to genetic defects and reduced fitness.
The Ginkgo tree has also been prized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese medicine has used extracts from the Ginkgo tree for a variety of ailments, including asthma, bronchitis, and circulatory disorders. Modern research has confirmed many of these health benefits, and Ginkgo is now widely used as a dietary supplement to improve memory and cognitive function.
the Ginkgo tree is a marvel of evolution and a living testament to the resilience of life on Earth. It has survived for over 200 million years, adapting to changing environmental conditions and outlasting countless other plant species. The Ginkgo tree is not only a beautiful ornamental plant but also a valuable source of medicine and a symbol of the enduring power of nature.