Ginkgo plant on verge of extinction: Expert

PATNA: Sir Peter Crane, professor of botany at Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in the USA, said here on Friday the popular Ginkgo plant, which dominated the earth from 250 to 70 million years ago, is on the verge of extinction.

Delivering a lecture on ‘Ginkgo: the tree that time forgot’ organized by Nalanda University at Patna University geology auditorium here, Crane said the plant coexisted with dinosaurs during the Jurassic period. The fossils of this plant have also been found in Rajmahal hills of Jharkhand, he said.

Also known as “duck foot” and “ silver apricon”, Ginkgo has inspired several generations of people through its use in family crests, art and design. Ginkgo leaves have long been used as symbols of universities, health spa and even wedding rings.

In several countries, including France and Germany, it is being widely used as herbal supplement and medicines, he said.