The Plants that Miss the Mammoths: Curious Cases of Evolutionary Anachronisms
Avocados are one of the most delicious fruits, especially when smashed with some lime and garlic salt. But have you ever really looked at an avocado? Because they are unusual fruits, with a seed too large for any of the animals in its original habitat to swallow. Learn more about avocados, ginkgos and other plants that have outlived their companion animals in this discussion of evolutionary anachronisms.
For Brilliant Fall Color, Look to the Living Fossil, Ginkgo
Every autumn, guests to the Japanese Garden frequently stop and marvel at a magnificent tree located just inside the east entrance. In the fall, the leaves turn bright lemon yellow. The color is so brilliant the leaves almost appear fluorescent, as if a bundle of yellow highlighters had taken root and sprouted. This is one of the Garden’s Ginkgo biloba trees, and it holds a remarkable story. “If you are looking for a tree to add to your landscape, consider the gingko. It is not only a reliable performer and beautiful tree but also a unique horticultural specimen,” says Sr. Horticulturist Steve Huddleston.