1. Ginkgo & Gnetophytes By: Lacy Koss

2.  Ginkgos !

3. Characteristics of a Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest living tree species. One tree can live as long as 1,000 years old and grow to a height of 120 feet. It has short branches with fan- shaped leaves and inedible fruits that can produce a very strong sense of an odor. This fruit contains an inner seed that has been reported with human poisoning from ingesting the seed. Ginkgo biloba can grow to be a huge, bold-textured, urban- tolerant shade tree Grow 80’ tall to 60’ wide under urban conditions

4. Ginkgo Ginkgos can be classified in a class or in a subdivision. It is used in some classifications for one of five subdivisions of Gymnospermophyta. Gymnospermophyta: plants that have naked seeds not enclosed in an ovary.

5. Ginkgo There are over 40 components identified in the Ginkgo tree. Two are believed to be responsible for the herb’s beneficial effects in humans. Flavonoids and Terpenoids Flavonoids. Laboratory studies have shown that the flavonoids in the ginkgo trees protect the nerves, heart muscles, blood vessels, and retina from damages. Terpenoids. Studies have shown that the terpenoids in the ginkgo trees improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets.

6. Gnetophytes!

7. Characteristics of Gnetophytes The arrangement of leaves are formed into an X- intercept. All living species are woody. Embryo has two primary or rudimentary leaves of seed plants. An extended micropylar tube from the inner skin of the seed.

8. Characteristics Continued…. The members of the division Gnetophyte are a small group of gymnospermous vascular plants that are represented by three living genera: Ephedra, Gnetum, and Welwitschia. There are 65 species in Ephedra 30 or more species in Gnetum But only one in Welwitschia

9. Ephedra Ephedra is the most common of the three living genera. Ephedra occurs as a shrub dry region in tropical and temperate North and South America, and in Asia from the Mediterranean Sea to China. Shrubs to small trees. Each leaf has 2-3 veins. Brightly colored. 1 family ephedraceae

10. Gnetum Shrubs to small trees Large flat leaves that have reticulate venation Seeds may be brightly colored 1 family Gnetaceae

11. Welwitschia 2 immense, permanent leaves They become split within age Seeds with winglike extensions Restricted to Namib Desert of Africa and vicinity. 1 family Welwitschiaceae

12. Reproduction in General Gnetophytes and Ginkgos are dioecious; an individual plant either produces pollen or seed producing cones. Pollen-producing cones (microsporangiate strobili) Male Gametophytes Seed-producing cones (megasporangiate strobili) Female Gametophytes Theses two types of strobili are basically the same, except for their base leaves are oppositely arranged, which are short fertile shoots. The pollen of a gnetophyte has been identified in the fossil record from the Permian Period (299-251 millions years ago to the present)

13. Ginkgo Tree Ginkgo leaves and seeds

14. Gnetophytes Ephedra Welwitschia Gnetum

15. Works Cited http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/courses.hp/bot511/tsld007.htm http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ginkgo-biloba-000247.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/463192/114917/Tumboa http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/236306/gnetophyte