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How do the leaves on ginkgo long branches differ from leaves on spur branches?
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The leaves of a Ginkgo tree exhibit significant variation in form depending on the type of branch on which they grow:
- Spur (short) branches: These branches typically bear leaves that are either bilobed or undivided.
- Long branches: Most leaves found on the upper part of these branches are divided by a deep sinus into two lobes, and each of those lobes may be further lobed.
- New branches (sucker shoots): These shoots, which arise from the tree trunk at ground level, often produce multilobed leaves.
While the term biloba (meaning bilobed) describes many leaves, there is a wide range of variation in the degree of lobing and dissection among leaves found on the same tree.1