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Why are female ginkgo trees known for a foul smell?
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Gymnosperm
Pine cone and exposed seeds of the pinyon pine (Pinus edulis). Pinyon pines are gymnosperms and bear their edible seeds, known as pine nuts, in protective cones instead of fruit.
Female ginkgo trees are known for a foul smell because of their mature seeds. When these plumlike seeds ripen, their fleshy outer covering emits a very disagreeable odor, which is often compared to that of rancid butter.12
In addition to the unpleasant scent, the fallen fleshy seed coverings can create a slipping hazard on paved surfaces, which often makes female ginkgo trees less desirable for ornamental garden planting compared to their male counterparts.1