The ginkgos also were a much more prominent group in the past than they are today. The sole survivor of this once robust and diverse group is Ginkgo biloba , the maidenhair tree. Extensively used as an ornamental plant, Ginkgo was thought extinct in the wild until it was discovered growing natively in a remote area of China. Ginkos are dioecious, with separate male and female plants. The males are more commonly planted since the females produce seeds that have a nasty odor.
Pollination is by wind.
Recently, Ginkgo has become the current herbal rave. Pines Auracarias Members of this group of conifers have numerous small, scale-like leaves spiralling around their stems. Araucaria , a major genus that gives its name to the group, is a common ornamental because of the symmetry and beauty of its growth form. The monkey puzzle tree is a species of Araucaria . Image of Araucaria sp.