Tilia, Common Lime Tree, European Linden

This is a hybrid of the Littleleaf x the Bigleaf Lindens of Europe. I have only seen one specimen that was planted at the University of I...Read Morellinois in the 1970's. Its leaves are about 2 to 4" long and its buds are usually intensely red-maroon. It has been commonly planted in Europe. Horticulturists in the USA consider it less ornamental than Littleleaf or Crimean Lindens, so it is not really pl;anted here;it is only a possible botanical specimen at an arboretum.

This variety of linden tree does not grow in Florida. If you want to have one anyway, get a Silver Linden (Tilia tomentosa).

...Read More> Gather a lot of flowers from a linden tree. Put the flowers in a bowl of water and boil. Remove the flowers, add sugar and drink the tea! This tea is very good especially when you have a flu or cold.

When taken as a hot tea, linden flowers act as a diaphoretic. Diaphoretics induce a mild fever, thereby helping promote the immune system’s ability to fight infections. The fever usually does not go very high because the diaphoretic also causes sweating, which in turn cause the body to cool off. In Europe, linden has been used for the treatment of colds and cold-related coughs.

Different parts of the Tilia (linden plant) are used in treating specific conditions and symptoms.

Flowers: colds, cough, bronchitis, infectious diseases, and headache (particularly migraine), and as a diuretic (increases urine production), antispasmodic (reduces spasm), and sedative

Leaves: internal use—intestinal complaints; external use—ulcers in the leg

Wood: liver and gallbladder disorders, cellulitis (inflammation of the body's connective tissue)

Flowers have a strong fragrance and attract a lot of bees! If you are picking linden flowers, be careful. You don't want to grab a bee. :)