Pollinator plant

Basswood

Tilia americana

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

44 names · 27 languages
EnglishYour language
+7 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (26)
Dutch
French
Alabama
Catalan
  • Til·ler americà[3]
Cayuga
  • Ohó:draˀ[3]
Cherokee
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 美洲椴木[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 美洲椴樹[3]
Czech
  • lípa americká[3]
Danish
Estonian
  • ameerika pärn[3]
Finnish
  • amerikanlehmus[3]
German
Hungarian
  • amerikai hárs[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • アメリカシナノキ[3]
Miami
  • wiikapimišii[3]
Ojibwe
  • asigobaami-mazinichigan[3]
  • weegobee[3]
  • wiigbimish[3]
+5 more namesShow fewer names
Polish
  • Lipa amerykańska[3]
Russian
  • Липа американская[3]
Seneca
Slovak
  • lipa americká[3]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • Amerika Ihlamuru[3]
Ukrainian
  • Липа американська[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Tilia americana — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Basswood — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
  • American Basswood — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
  • American Linden — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
  • Bee Tree — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
  • Carolina Basswood — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
  • Lime Tree — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
  • Linden — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(7); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
  • White Basswood — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(8); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
  • White Wood — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(9); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia americana.
[2] Tilia americana — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • basswood — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Amerikaanse linde — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • tilleul d'Amérique — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • American basswood — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Amerikanische Linde — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • American Lime — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • American linden — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • tilo americano — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Tiglio americano — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
[3] Tilia americana — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • basswood — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Amerikaanse linde — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • tilleul d'Amérique — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • American basswood — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Amerikanische Linde — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • American Lime — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • American linden — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • tilo americano — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Tiglio americano — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • wiigibiish — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • asigobaami-mazinichigan — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • wiigobimizh — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • wiigbimish — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • wiigob — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • weegobee — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • wiigobaatig — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • wiigobiishaatig — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • lípa americká — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • ameerika pärn — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Липа американская — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Lipa amerykańska — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • アメリカシナノキ — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • 美洲椴樹 — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • O:osä’ — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • ᎢᏓᎭ — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Ohó:draˀ — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Ittobaksa — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • 美洲椴木 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • svartlind — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • wiikapimišii — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • sortlind — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • amerikai hárs — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Липа американська — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Amerika Ihlamuru — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • Til·ler americà — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • amerikanlehmus — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
  • lipa americká — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 54854; Tilia americana.
[4] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Tilia americana ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • American basswood (EN); Amerikanische Linde — VernacularName.tsv, line 163243; taxon 56WNF.
  • Schwarz-Linde (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 163244; taxon 56WNF.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Tilia americana is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Malvaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
18.29–24.38 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
9.14–18.29 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Conical; Erect; Oval; Pyramidal

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
C. & E. Canada to Mexico.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value High
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Tree
Size
Large
Dimensions
25.00 m high × 12.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
3-9
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Sap
Functions
Charcoal, Fibre, Paper, Timber, Pollinator plant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

Young leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked. They have a subtle flavor and a soft, somewhat slimy texture. They make a delicious addition to salads, and when cooked, they resemble vegetables. The sap is harvested from the bark and is used as a refreshing drink. It can also be thickened into syrup and used as a sweetener. Flowers can be eaten raw, for example, added to salads. They can also serve as a tea substitute, due to their sweet and fragrant taste. Some even use them to make a chocolate substitute.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Tilia americana — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1387281; ID 56WNF; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1387281; ID 56WNF; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Tilia americana — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Tilia americana — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 258279; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1004474, 1004475, 1004476, 1004477, 1004478, 1004479, 1004480, 1004481, 1004482, 1004483, 1004484, 1004485, 1004486, 1004487, 1004488, 1004489, 1004490, 1004491, 1004492, 1004493, 1004494, 1004495, 1004496, 1004497, 1004498, 1004499, 1004500, 1004501, 1004502, 1004503, 1004504, 1004505, 1004506, 1004507, 1004508, 1004509, 1004510, 1004511, 1004512, 1004513, 1004514, 1004515, 1004516, 1004517, 1004518, 1004519, 1004520, 1004521, 1004522

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.