The Maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba) belongs to the family Ginkgoaceae. It is a tall deciduous tree that is native to China. It was introduced into Japan in ancient days, and it is widely cultivated in temples and shrines, as a roadside tree. This tree can reach about 45 m in height. It is a dioecious. The flowers bloom in April, and the fruits ripen in September. The outer seed coat is yellow, and has an offensive odor. The inner seed coat is white, hard and called "Ginkgo". The leaves turn yellow in fall. In Chinese, it is called "銀杏" (yin xing).