I collected so many leaves, but I did not save any for the assignments. I do not know exactly why I chose this leaf. I didn’t even know the name of the plant, I just picked it up, then searched for it. When I googled it I realized why my instinct dictated me subconsciously to choose this leaf. It turned out that this plant has an interesting biography. Its name is Ginkgo biloba, same as “Autumn gold” symbol of toughness, calmness, hope, peace, and longevity. Regarded as producing the best fall color, Ginkgo biloba “Autumn gold” (maidenhair Tree) is a delicious conifer with a broad and rounded symmetrical crown. This male cultivar of Ginkgo is practically pest free, resistant to storm damage, and casts dense shade. Depending upon the dosage, Ginkgo is safe to take, but it can cause minor side effects. Bloom time is spring, colors are mostly yellow, green, white, gold, variegated, orange, brown and gray.
Legend has it that an old man gave his two daughters two mountains before he died and told them there were treasures. In the evening, they both had dreams. The elder sister dreamed that an old man gave her a bag of ginkgo nuts and the younger sister dreamed of a bag of money. After that, the elder sister thought that each day the stones on the mountain would become coins. Years later, the elder sister’s mountain was full of ginkgo, but the younger sister’s mountain was only barren land.
I wanted a leaf that would tell me the story, and it was Ginkgo, so accurately for this assignment.
What a great story. I think ginkgo leaves are gorgeous, in summer when they are green and fall when they turn a deep golden yellow.