• Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Tilia americana

basswood, American linden, bee tree

Nomenclature

Common Name:

basswood, American linden, bee tree

Synonym(s):

Tilia caroliniana, Tilia heterophylla

Genus species:

Tilia americana

Family:

Malvaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

60-80 ft tall by 40-60 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,yellow,green

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Deciduous. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens in fall.

Noted For:

Fall Color, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Shade tree for mid-moisture sites.

Considerations:

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Availability:

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Propagation:

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Light:

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Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Acidic to circum-neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Mammals



  • Flowers fragrant and attractive to insects, especially bees.


  • Larval host for red spotted purple butterfly.


Seeds eaten by a variety of small mammals, especially rodents. 

Native Habitats:

Mesic forests.

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Has been used for lumber/furniture wood. Known as a good honey plant.

General Comments:

Tilia americana var. caroliniana and T. americana var. heterophylla both occur in Florida. Their cultural requirements and appearance are similar.