Tilia americana L.
Synonyms: Tilia glabra Vent.; T. canadensis Michx.
Other common names: Basswood, whitewood, bast tree, black lime tree, American lin tree, American lime tree, beetree, daddynut tree, monkeynut tree, whistlewood, white lind, red basswood, yellow basswood, wickup.
Habitat and range: This native forest tree is found in rich woods, especially along the mountains, from Canada to Georgia and west to Texas and Nebraska.
Description: The American linden is a large tree attaining a height of from 60 to 125 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 to 5 feet, with spreading branches. The somewhat leathery leaves are pointed at the apex, heart-shaped at the base, with sharply toothed margins and are borne on stems about 1 or 2 inches long. The flowers are produced in great abundance from May to June in drooping clusters composed of from 6 to 20 yellowish, very fragrant flowers. At the base of each cluster and grown to its stalk is a leaflike bract 2 to 4 inches in length. The roundish, grayish-green fruit is dry and woody and contains one or two seeds.
Part used: The flowers, carefully dried in the shade.
