Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

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:

Dense shade produced by this tree will limit what can be grown under it.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed. Can also be managed as a coppice plant.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

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.

Natural Range in Florida:

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.