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Ginkgo biloba trees that first sprouted as the Black Death ravaged Europe in the 1300s—and are still thriving—appear to have immune systems just as active as in trees only a couple of decades old. A new study, published yesterday (January 13) in PNAS, details how having an enduring defense system contributes to the tree’s seemingly ageless life.
Ginkgo, as a species, has changed very little over its 270-million-year tenure, with individuals living more than 1,000 years. In most cases, these trees don’t appear to die of natural causes, leading scientists to investigate how they achieve such impressive lifespans.
The study, performed by researchers from the United States and China, conducted a genetic analysis within the vascular cambium, the layer of stem cells between the bark and the inner wood of the trunk. They discovered that genes responsible for the tree’s immune response don’t diminish in ...
