*Tilia cordata

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*Tilia cordata
LITTLELEAF LINDEN
Tiliaceae
Eurasia

Location: map coordinates O-13 (east of Baker Building), N 39°11'9'' W 75°32'39''

Planting history: presently unknown.

Description:
  • medium- to large-sized deciduous tree
  • etymology: Tilia = the Latin name; cordata = heart-shaped (leaves)
  • also called “lime-tree” (in Britain), and “tilleul” in parts of Europe
  • leaves simple, heart-shaped
  • flowers small, fragrant, yellowish, in clusters, in spring; attract pollinators like honeybees (hence linden honey). Linden tea made from dried flower clusters; flavorful, and also used medicinally for colds, fever, high blood pressure etc.
  • fruit a nutlet attached to a green wing-like bract (modified leaf), which acts like a spinning parachute for seed dispersal
  • very popular street tree which resists aderse city conditions; form symmetrical. (“Unter den Linden” is a famous boulevard in the historic district of Berlin, named for a different linden species, the silver linden, planted there)
  • the famous Swedish botanist Linnaeus’ family name was derived from the old “warden” linden tree on the family property

*Non-native species (not native to Delaware)
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