Ginkgo berry

Photomacrograph of a single ginkgo berry from the Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba). The Ginkgo tree is native to parts of Asia but is now also grown in parts of Europe and North America. Female trees produce fruit late in the autumn which emit a strong, putrid odour as they start to rot. Inside the fruit is an edible seed which is harvested and eaten as a delicacy in some parts of Asia. Ginkgo leaves have also been used in preparations to treat memory disorders such as Dementia and Alzheimer's, and to treat a variety of other conditions including eye disorders (such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration), asthma, bronchitis and depression. Ginkgo appears to improve blood circulation. Width of image is 2 cm.