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Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of tree. Traditionally (i.e. under the Cronquist classification system), this genus was placed in the family Tiliaceae. The modern Judd system incorporates this family into the Malvaceae.
The most widely used English-language name globally is linden, from the Germanic and Old English name for the tree.
The modern UK English name lime, used only in Britain (where it has largely but not completely replaced linden in popular use), is a relatively recent modification from the late mediaeval English variant line, from Old Norse linne (ultimately the same word as linden); neither the name nor the tree is in any way related to the citrus fruit Lime (Citrus aurantifolia).
In the United States, another widely-used common name for T. americana is Basswood, derived from bast, the name for the inner bark (see Uses, below).
The lindens are large deciduous trees, reaching typically 20-40m tall, with oblique-cordate leaves 6-20cm across, and are found through the north temperate regions. Members of the genus include:
- American linden or Basswood, Tilia americana
- Common lime, Tilia x europaea (hybrid T. cordata x T. platyphyllos)
- Mongolian linden, Tilia mongolica
- Silver linden, Tilia tomentosa, Tilia argentea
- Small-leaved lime or Little-leaf linden Tilia cordata
- Large-leaved lime Tilia platyphyllos
Uses
The tree produces a fragrant and nectar-producing blossom, the medicinal herb Lime Blossom. They are very important honey plants for beekeepers, producing a very pale honey but richly flavoured honey. The blossom is also used for herbal tea. T. cordata is the preferred species for medical use; it has the highest concentration of active compounds.
The timber of lime trees is soft and easily worked. It is known in the trade as basswood, particularly in North America. This name originates from the inner fibrous bark of the tree, known as bast (Old English language). Fibre was obtained from the younger wood of the tree.
Leaf buds and young leaves are edible raw.
See also: Unter den Linden
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