Tilia

Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of trees in the Northern Hemisphere, in Asia (where the greatest species diversity is found), Europe and eastern North America; it is absent from western North America.

The trees are generally called linden in North America, and lime in Britain. Both names are from the Germanic root lind. The modern forms in English went from linde or linne in Anglo Saxon and old Norse, and in Britain the word transformed more recently to the modern British form lime. In the United States, the modern German name Linde, from the same root, became more common, partly to avoid confusion with any other uses of the name.

Tilia species are large deciduous trees, reaching typically between 20m and 40m tall, some species grow as shrubs. Plants of this genus are found through the north temperate regions.

History
The Germanic tribes associated the Linden tree with the goddess Freya. Very often, these tribes held their assemblies, called Thing near or under such a tree. Often, trees that were standing alone somewhere were chosen. These assemblies were used to make laws. They usually lasted three days.

Species
 Tilia americana
 Tilia amurensis
 Tilia begoniifolia
 Tilia caroliniana  
 Tilia chinensis
 Tilia chingiana 
 Tilia cordata
 Tilia dasystyla 
 Tilia henryana
 Tilia heterophylla
 Tilia hupehensis 
 Tilia insularis 
 Tilia intonsa 
 Tilia japonica
 Tilia kiusiana 
 Tilia mandshurica
 Tilia maximowicziana 
 Tilia mexicana
 Tilia miqueliana 
 Tilia mongolica
 Tilia nasczokinii
 Tilia nobilis
 Tilia occidentalis
 Tilia oliveri
 Tilia paucicostata 
 Tilia platyphyllos
 Tilia rubra
 Tilia tomentosa
 Tilia tuan

Hybrids and cultivars
Tilia × euchlora (T. dasystyla × T. cordata)
Tilia × europaea Common Lime (T. cordata × T. platyphyllos; syn. T. × vulgaris)
Tilia × petiolaris (T. tomentosa × T. ?)
Tilia 'Flavescens' (T. americana × T. cordata)
Tilia 'Moltkei' (hybrid, unknown origin)
Tilia 'Orbicularis' (hybrid, unknown origin)
Tilia 'Spectabilis' (hybrid, unknown origin)

Uses
The tree produces fragrant and nectar-producing flowers, the medicinal herb lime blossom. They are very important honey plants for beekeepers, producing a very pale but richly flavoured monofloral honey. The flowers are also used for herbal tea, and this infusion is particularly popular in Europe.

 Other websites 

 GRIN: Tilia 

Category:Trees
Category:Malvaceae