Ginkgo yimaensis is an extinct ginkgo species in the family Ginkgoaceae. It is a gymnosperm, first described by Zhou and Zhang.[1]

Ginkgo yimaensis
Temporal range: Middle Jurassic
Artist's reconstruction
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Ginkgophyta
Class: Ginkgoopsida
Order: Ginkgoales
Family: Ginkgoaceae
Genus: Ginkgo
Species:
G. yimaensis
Binomial name
Ginkgo yimaensis
Zhou & Zhang

Description

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Ginkgo yimaensis differs from the extant G. biloba only slightly. The leaves were deeply divided, resembling closer the sucker shoots and seedling leaving of G. biloba. The seeds were also borne on individual stocks, unlike G. biloba which forms seeds sessile.[2] The size of the seeds from specimens has ranged from 10-15 mm in length and 8-12 mm in width. G. yimaensis also had pedicels 15-16 mm in length.[3] The megaspore membrane of G. yimaensis and G. biloba are similar. However, it appears G. biloba has developed structurally beyond that of G. yimaensis, possibly by peramorphosis means.[4]

Distribution

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Material of Ginkgo yimaensis has been found in the Yima Formation of Henan, China, dating back to the Middle Jurassic.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Wake Up and Smell the Ginkgos". Arnold Arboretum. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  2. ^ Crane, Peter R. (2019). "An evolutionary and cultural biography of ginkgo". Plants, People, Planet. 1 (1): 32–37. doi:10.1002/ppp3.7. ISSN 2572-2611.
  3. ^ a b Zheng, Shaolin; Zhou, Zhiyan (2004-08-01). "A new Mesozoic Ginkgo from western Liaoning, China and its evolutionary significance". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 131 (1): 91–103. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2004.03.002. ISSN 0034-6667.
  4. ^ Zhiyan, Zhou (1993-07-01). "Comparative ultrastructure of fossil and living ginkgoacean megaspore membranes". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 78 (1): 167–182. doi:10.1016/0034-6667(93)90021-L. ISSN 0034-6667.