ABSTRACT
The first definitive description of the genus and species of Ginkgo biloba L. was given by Linnaeus (1771). For this reason, other names like Salisburia adiantifolia Smith and Pterophyllus salisburiensis Nelson are either invalid or are regarded as synonyms according to the rules of nomenclature with particular reference to the rule of priority (Smith, 1797; Nelson, 1866). The spelling of proper names is also determined by these rules. Consequently, Mayr’s correction of the spelling into Ginkgyo in 1906, which was justified in some respects, could not be accepted (Mayr, 1906). A German name is actually not in use. The English term “Maidenhair tree” is based on the similarity to the foliage of the “Maidenhair fern” (Adiantum). In Japan it is called “ginkyo”, whereas the French names are “l’arbre aux quarante écus” and “noyer du Japon”.
