*Tilia ×europaea

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*Tilia ×europaea
EUROPEAN LINDEN
Tiliaceae
Europe

Location: map coordinates T-10 (north side of Washington Building; near entrance), N 39°11'7'' W 75°32'45''

Planting history: presently unknown.

Description:
  • large deciduous tree
  • etymology: Tilia = the Latin name; europea = of Europe
  • probably a naturally-occurring hybrid between Tilia cordata (littleleaf linden) and Tilia platyphyllos (large-leaved linden), in Europe where the 2 parent species occur
  • also called “lime-tree” (in Britain), and “tilleul” in parts of Europe
  • leaves simple, heart-shaped
  • flowers 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
  • widely cultivated. (“Unter den Linden” is a famous boulevard in the historic district of Berlin, named for a different linden species, the silver linden, planted there)

*Non-native species (not native to Delaware)

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