I found the following from (ClassicalChineseMedicine.org interesting. I hope you do too. As the symbol of a long and rich history of cultural heritage, the gingko has been given many different names over the ages. Most names refer to either the shape of the leaves or the seeds, or its ancient and aristocratic status among the trees of the Asian continent. In order of familiar usage, Chinese terms for the gingko tree are: Yinxing (Silver Almond Tree), Baiguoshu (White Nut Tree), Yazhangshu (Duck Feet Tree), Gongsunshu (Yellow Emperor Tree), Fozhijia (Buddha’s Fingernail Tree), and Lingyan (Eyes of the Cosmic Spirit Tree). The gingko’s leaves look distinctly like duck feet, thus the name Duck Feet Tree. During the Song dynasty, (the seeds) were first declared as a tributary item offered to the imperial court, and henceforth the tree’s name was changed to Silver Almond Tree. This is because its seeds have the shape of small almonds and their shell is white. Today it is commonly called White Nut Tree. (see Medicinal Foods, p.171) The Western name “gingko” or “ginkgo,” by the way, is an adaptation of the Japanese transliteration of a mix of these terms, namely “gin” (yin: silver) and “ko” (guo: nut).

I’m always excited to learn something new, or to learn a new spin on something known. I think this group will be fun.