White basswood
Tilia americana var. heterophylla

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 18-24 m high. The trunk is 60 cm across. The leaves are large and in 2 rows. They are 7.5-18 cm long and wide. They are broadly oval with a long point at the tip. The base is unequal. There are coarse teeth along the edge. The veins spread out like fingers on a hand. The leaf stalk is long and slender. The leaves are shiny green above and paler underneath. The flowers are 12-15 mm wide with 5 pale yellow petals. They are on clusters on long stalks. They hang in the middle of leafy bracts. The fruit are 10 mm across. They are nut-like and round. They are covered with fine hairs and have 1-2 seeds.

These have also been in the Tiliaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist soils in valleys in southern USA.

Countries/locations it is found in

North America, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Tilia eburnea Ashe; Tilia heterophylla Vent.; Tilia lasioclada Sarg.; Tilia lata Ashe; Tilia michauxii Nutt.; Tilia monticola Sarg.;