Discover the Ancient Survivor, older than Dinosaurs, Still Existing (Hint: It Endured a Nuclear Explosion As Well)
In the initial seconds following the exploded "Little Boy" over Hiroshima, temperatures soared to an impressive 7,000 degrees Fahrenheit, spreading up to two miles from ground zero.
Comparatively, the temperature of lava from a typical volcanic eruption is around 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. During re-entry, a spacecraft might encounter temperatures reaching up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The sun's surface clocks in at a moderate 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Any being residing inside the blast radius succumbed instantly, buildings dissolved into liquid, and the majority of the city transformed into a raging inferno. Miraculously, six Ginkgo biloba trees located just about a mile away from the blast's epicenter endured.
Despite the trees being stripped of leaves and severely charred, they regenerated within months, surpassing expectations. This is merely one tale from the extraordinary legacy of the Ginkgo biloba species, which has survived not only a nuclear catastrophe but also ice ages, mass extinctions, and countless environmental upheavals.
These ancient, immovable witnesses to resilience and evolution are known as more than trees—they are living testaments to endurance and adaptability.
Ginkgo Trees Remain Unaltered Since the Age of Dinosaurs
Due to reasons, the Ginkgo biloba tree is often referred to as a "living fossil." Its lineage stretches back 290 million years to the Permian period, even predating the dinosaurs. With distinctive fan-shaped leaves and an enduring structure, ginkgo trees have maintained their untouched form for eons.
Fossils discovered in the Jurassic period possess leaves remarkably identical to modern ginkgo leaves, showcasing their exceptional stability throughout evolution. For numerous millions of years, ginkgos flourished across Laurasia, the northern supercontinent, until the extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs and much of the flora and fauna alongside them.
Although numerous species perished, ginkgos demonstrated exceptional resilience. However, their dominance waned in subsequent years as flowering plants emerged and diversified, competing for resources and space.
By the end of the Pleistocene, wild ginkgos had dwindled to isolated populations, teetering on the brink of extinction. Humans, however, played a significant role in preventing their demise.
Humans Aided in Preserving the Timeless Ginkgo Trees
Several ginkgo trees alive today are more than mere survivors. Nestled near Gu Guanyin Buddhist Temple in China's Zhongnan Mountains, a 1,400-year-old ginkgo tree has witnessed some of the most significant events in human history.
Throughout its lifespan, this tree has stood firm during the rise and fall of the Tang Dynasty, the establishment of the Silk Road trade routes, and the global upheavals of the Industrial Revolution.
Surprisingly, ginkgos were feared to be extinct in the wild until the early 20th century, when small populations were rediscovered in remote corners of China.
Researchers now believe that these remote populations were preserved by Buddhist monks, whose admiration for the trees' beauty, resilience, and healing properties led them to cultivate and protect the trees. This unintentional preservation method played a significant role in the survival of the species that predated humanity by millions of years.
Ginkgo trees are now a common sight in city streets, parks, and temple grounds around the world. Their robustness and resistance to pollution, pests, and harsh weather make them ideal for urban environments. Their longevity, however, is not merely a circumstantial trait; it is deeply ingrained in their biology.
The Biological Gift of Endurance—Sustained for Thousands of Years
Unlike most organisms, ginkgo trees exhibit no apparent signs of senescence, the age-related biological process that ultimately leads to death. Even 600-year-old ginkgo trees retain the same vitality and immune responses as their more youthful counterparts, according to a study published in the January 2020 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
At the cellular level, ginkgos continue to produce antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds continuously, thereby protecting themselves from disease and infection. Their cambium—a layer of stem cells in the trunk—remains active and robust, fostering continuous growth.
Rather curiously, older ginkgos might even grow faster than younger ones. Their ability to transport nutrients efficiently while their increasing girth provides them with a sustainable growth advantage is unlike any other plant species.
Moreover, ginkgos are incredibly adaptive. They can regenerate from damage, whether caused by natural disasters or, as demonstrated in Hiroshima, by nuclear blasts. Their deep root systems anchor them firmly in the soil, enabling them to access water and nutrients even under harsh conditions. This extraordinary resilience is further enhanced by their thick bark, which provides a natural barrier against pests, diseases, and environmental extremities.
Intriguingly, the ginkgo's genetic makeup is a crucial factor in its longevity. Studies have revealed that genes associated with pathogen resistance and stress response remain highly active even in ancient specimens. This constant production of protective compounds equates to a virtually unfailing immune system, ensuring the trees' ability to endure across the centuries.
The tale of Ginkgo biloba and its endurance over countless millennia is an awe-inspiring testament to nature's resilience that can cost as high as the trees themselves. What does it feel like to witness the natural world adapt and thrive even in the most formidable of circumstances? Take a 2-minute quiz to see where you stand on the Connectedness to Nature Scale.
- Despite being located just about a mile away from the Hiroshima blast's epicenter, six little boy Ginkgo biloba trees miraculously endured.
- The Ginkgo biloba tree, often referred to as a living fossil plant, has a lineage that stretches back 290 million years to the Permian period, making it a biloba living fossil tree.
- In the botony trees common of urban environments, such as city streets and parks, the Ginkgo tree's robustness and resistance to pollution, pests, and harsh weather make it an ideal choice.
- The ginkgo tree's ability to regenerate from damage, whether natural disasters or nuclear blasts, is a testament to its extraordinary resilience and adaptability, as demonstrated in Hiroshima.
- The survival of the ancient Ginkgo tree species throughout earth science events like ice ages, mass extinctions, and environmental upheavals can be attributed to its high activity of genes associated with pathogen resistance and stress response.
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