|
||
 | ||
 |
Ginkgo
The Ginkgoaceae has existed since the Palaeozoic Era 200 million years ago, making the Ginkgo the oldest tree in the world. However the wild variety is now extinct. Originating in China, the Ginkgo is a temperate zone deciduous tree which can grow to an imposing 35 metres in height. Given its hardy and robust nature, it is not uncommon to find Ginkgo trees of several hundred years. There are male and female Ginkgos. Seeds from the female are the Ginkgo fruits we commonly use in cooking. The Chinese Herbal Material Medica calls the Ginkgo ducks web after the shape of its leaf, and has a formula, Ducks Web Powder, that treats asthma, coughs and phlegm. Thirty years ago, German scientists discovered that flavonoids contained in the Ginkgo are extremely effective in delaying atherosclerosis, making Ginkgo-based health foods very popular. The tree is rare in Hong Kong as the territorys subtropical climate is not ideal for its growth. The University campus, however, is blessed with several of the specimens, two of which were planted in 1973 in Chung Chi, two others on 1991 in Shaw, and the youngest in 2004, in New Asia. Extracted from 'CUHK Campus --- Trees on Campus', Chinese University Bulletin Spring/Autumn 2005
|
