Source: Marcin Kolasiński, Ginkgo biloba - female flower, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

The ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), originally from China, is now also native to Central Europe. Few know that the ginkgo has a flower. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the flowering period and special characteristics.

In a nutshell

  • Ginkgo trees always have male or female flowers
  • blooms only after many years
  • gender characteristics

basics

Basically, a ginkgo does not have a flower with a classic appearance. It has no perianth and therefore falls under the so-called strobilis. This means (a kind of) cones, such as those formed by conifers. They include different flower shapes with elongated, lignified axes. Nevertheless, the designation of ginkgo flowers in local areas is common, at least among those who even know that the tree bears flowers.

Source: H. Zell, Ginkgo biloba 005, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

heyday

The flowering period usually begins in March before the leaves form. Male specimens usually flower first. The flowering period then extends well into April. Depending on the weather, a ginkgo will bloom until May.

First flowering

The ginkgo plant takes its time with the first flowers. At least 20 years pass and sometimes 35 years. This is due to sexual maturity, which requires this period of time for their development.

Tip: If you want to enjoy the autumn color through the fruits of a ginkgo, planting male and female specimens is promising if there is no opposite sex ginkgo plant in the vicinity.

Promotion of flowering

There are hardly any measures that promote faster flowering. Only good care, especially with regard to pruning, keeps the tree healthy and strong. These are basic requirements for it to form flowers at all for propagation or pollination and for this. If sick, weakened ginkgos lack energy and vigour, they will not develop flowers or will only do so to a limited extent. Therefore, the Asian tree should be thinned out slightly every spring so that light and air can get through the branches.

female inflorescence; Source: Jon Houseman, Ginkgo female gametophyte, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

flower characteristics

  • light brown scale-like arranged terminal buds with a diameter between two and five millimeters
  • then green-yellowish spike-like inflorescences
  • later developing into cat-shaped flowers
  • Flower size: male between two and three centimeters; female few millimeters
  • later stage of maturity: males fall off; females develop into mirabelles-like fruits/nuts
  • most striking difference between male and female flowers: the latter are usually in pairs on a forked stalk
  • Stalk length: between one and 1.5 centimeters
  • Place of flowering: on the axils of the lower and lower leaves of perennial short shoots (male further indoors)

Notice: Did you know that in this tree species, male pollen grains are carried to the female flowers by the wind? From pollination arises fertilization, which takes place between the end of August and the end of September.

toxicity

So far, no evidence of toxicity of the ginkgo flower could be found. The regional poison control centers and information centers for poisonous plants do not list ginkgos. This means that to date there has not been a case of possible poisoning through consumption or contact with parts of the plant such as the flower. A health hazard for dogs and cats can therefore also be ruled out. Nevertheless, consumption should be avoided.

male inflorescence; Source: Sten, Ginkgo biloba Inflorescences, edited from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

medicinal properties of flowers

The ginkgo flower has no healing or health-promoting properties. Only the seeds that develop in it are said to have a blood circulation-promoting effect.

frequently asked Questions

When should pruning be stopped so as not to cut off buds?

If you have trimmed the tree regularly, from the age of 20 you should only trim a few branches that are really necessary. However, it cannot be prevented that you cut off some buds. In that year there will be fewer flowers, but for the following year you know it and can adjust the pruning accordingly.

How to determine when to expect flowering?

The age can only be determined approximately by the annual growth height. If your ginkgo plant is in an optimal location and is healthy, then the average growth rate for small varieties is between three and four centimeters. Large varieties grow an average of 30 to 40 centimeters a year. If you measure your tree, you can roughly estimate how old it is and when a blossom can be expected at the earliest.

Do “twin flowers” also grow two fruits?

No. Of the two, only one ginkgo flower usually has a fertilizing ability. Only one fruit develops from this.

Category:

Garden plants