Ginkgo is the oldest known surviving species of tree in the world, which earns the distinction of being a living fossil. Remarkably, every species of tree, including ginkgo, was wiped out during the last glacial age, with the exception of a gingko tree in China. As a further testament of resilience, ginkgo was the only living specimen left standing after the atomic bomb was detonated in Hiroshima. Ginkgo leaf has a long history of use in producing teas and liquid extracts.