description
Linden is a deciduous tree of the Malvaceae family that grows to 20–35 m
(66–115 ft) tall, with a trunk up to 2 m (7 ft) in diameter. The leaves are
alternately arranged, rounded to triangular-ovate, 4–13 cm long and broad
with a 2.5–4 cm petiole, green and mostly hairless above, densely white
tomentose with white hairs below, and with a coarsely toothed margin.
The flowers are pale yellow, hermaphrodite, produced in cymes of three to ten in
mid to late summer with a pale green subtending leafy bract; they have a
strong scent and are pollinated by honeybees. The nectar however contains
sugars which cannot be digested by other bees, to which the tree is somewhat
toxic. The fruit is a dry nut-like drupe 8–10 mm long, downy, and slightly
ribbed.
common names & nomenclature
The name linden comes from the Old English and means “made of lime wood”.
Also known as:
tilia argentea, tilia argenteum, tilia tomentosa, lime, silver lime, linden, silver linden, tilia