Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as the ginkgo or maidenhair tree, is one of the oldest living tree species. Native to China, it has fan-shaped, deciduous leaves that turn a striking yellow in the fall.
Regarding its scent profile, ginkgo is a bit of an anomaly. The leaves themselves generally do not emit a strong fragrance pleasant or otherwise, being relatively neutral when green and only slightly earthy when dried or crushed. However, the seeds or nuts, which are encased in a fleshy outer layer, are known for a distinctive, unpleasant odor when they fall and start to decompose. This outer fleshy part, known as the sarcotesta, can emit a smell often likened to rancid butter or vomit due to butyric acid. The nuts inside, once cleaned of the sarcotesta, are used in traditional Asian cooking and medicine and do not carry the offensive smell of their outer casing.
Overall, while the ginkgo tree itself does not have a significant aroma, its seeds are notable for their particularly strong and generally unwelcome scent when the outer layer begins to decay.