Final answer:
The Ginkgo biloba tree is unique for its fan-shaped leaves and is cultivated for its aesthetic appeal, resistance to pollution, and historical medicinal uses. It is the only surviving species of the ginkgophytes and has been preserved through cultivation, particularly in urban environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ginkgo biloba, commonly referred to as the Gingko tree, is a distinctive species due in part to its fan-shaped leaves and dichotomous venation pattern, which are unlike any other seed plant. Known for its resilience to urban pollution, it is often cultivated in cities worldwide. This tree is a living fossil as some specimens are over 2000 years old, and it has been planted by humans for medicinal purposes and as a shade tree for thousands of years, hence ensuring its continued presence, as it doesn't establish itself in the wild.
The ginkgo is the sole surviving species of the ginkgophytes group. It is valued not only for its historical significance and beauty, with leaves that turn a golden yellow in autumn, but also for its medicinal uses. Extracts of Ginkgo leaves have been used for their reported benefits on memory and circulation, although scientific evidence supporting some of these claims can be variable.