The nature strikes not only with a variety of forms and types, but also ability to survival, transformation and regeneration even after the most terrible cataclysms. It is considered that Ice Age to unrecognizability changed the planet, and the majority of plant species died. However and today - scientists claim - it is possible to see descendants of once growing trees which by miracle survived.
Assistants in studying the most ancient nature are so-called live minerals. These are descendants of those plants who lived on the planet many millions years ago, remained and, to great surprise, slightly changed for such long fight for survival.
It is considered that since Ice Age on Earth no more than 50 most ancient plant species remained, they are called still relic.
Sacred tree
Example of a plant from the past is the ginkgo ("a silver apricot"). Ginkovy trees have fancy fanlike leaves. Such form says that the ginkgo has no relation neither to coniferous plants, nor to deciduous trees. This tree is a descendant of ferns. Usually ginkgovy trees grow in height to 30 meters, but sometimes reach a point and of 40 meters. The trunk size can have a diameter 3-4.5 meters.
Tree it possesses very magnificent krone which pyramidal form looks nobly and forces to admire power of trees of an ancient type. Thanks to resistance to the hostile external environment to a plant various fungal diseases are not terrible. Insects too especially do not harm growth and development of ginkovy trees. The ginkgo two-bladed (biloba) is considered a sacred tree at some people and a symbol of endurance and longevity.
Seaweed, mushrooms and lichens are considered as the most ancient plants, they are followed by ferns and cereals, the last, however, strongly differ from primogenitors therefore not all scientists are inclined to consider them live minerals.
Advantage of a ginkgo
Since ancient times of a ginkgo know as extremely useful tree. It was cultivated in east countries because of the seeds possessing not only nutritious, but also salutary properties. Seeds cook till present, fry, eat and also apply in nonconventional medicine and professional pharmaceutics. It is considered that the ginkgo perfectly influences vessels, improving their elasticity, at the same time for a long time it is known that the plant can cause and strong allergic reaction, and therefore application of fruits of a tree or medicines on their basis has to be only according to the recommendation of the doctor. Archeological excavations show that more than 200 million years ago (Mesozoic Era) it is a tree was very widespread. Practically the ginkgo grew in all corners of the earth. Now this plant can be seen in the nature practically only in China – in east part of the country. This tree is carried to an endangered species as from 50-60 types existing once there was only one. Therefore ginkgoes grow up in botanical gardens and parks practically worldwide.