Pollinator plant

Silver lime

Tilia tomentosa

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Common names

34 names · 24 languages
EnglishYour language
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • White Lime[4]
Other languages (23)
Dutch
  • Hongaarse zilverlinde
  • Zilverlinde[1][3]
French
Basque
  • Ezki ilauntsua[3]
Catalan
  • Til·ler argentat[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • lípa stříbrná[3]
  • lípa řapíkatá[3]
Danish
  • Sølv-Lind[3]
Estonian
  • hõbepärn[3]
Finnish
  • hopealehmus[3]
German
Greek
  • Ασημοφλαμουριά[3]
  • Φιλύρα η αργυρόφυλλος[3]
  • Φιλύρα η γναφαλώδης[3]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Φλαμουριά[3]
Hungarian
  • ezüst hárs[3]
  • Ezüsthárs[3]
Italian
Norwegian
Polish
  • Lipa srebrzysta[3]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Липа войлочная[3]
Slovak
  • lipa striebristá[3]
Spanish
Swedish
  • silverlind[3]
Turkish
  • Tüylü Ihlamur[3]
Ukrainian
  • Липа срібляста[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

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

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

[1] Tilia tomentosa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • Silver Lime — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Zilverlinde — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tilleul argenté — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Silber-Linde — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • silver linden — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tilo plateado — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tilleul de Hongrie — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • tiglio tomentoso — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tília-prateada — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
[2] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Tilia tomentosa ↗

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

Source records
  • Silver Lime (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 163247; taxon 56WVQ.
  • Silber-Linde (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 163246; taxon 56WVQ.
[3] Tilia tomentosa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • Silver Lime — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Zilverlinde — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tilleul argenté — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Silber-Linde — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • silver linden — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tilo plateado — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tilleul de Hongrie — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • tiglio tomentoso — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tília-prateada — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • lípa stříbrná — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • hõbepärn — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • sølvlind — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • lípa řapíkatá — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Til·ler argentat — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Lipa srebrzysta — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Φλαμουριά — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Φιλύρα η γναφαλώδης — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Φιλύρα η αργυρόφυλλος — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Ασημοφλαμουριά — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • silverlind — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Sølv-Lind — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • 銀椴 — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Липа войлочная — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Ezüsthárs — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • ezüst hárs — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Tüylü Ihlamur — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Липа срібляста — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • hopealehmus — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • 绒毛椴 — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • lipa striebristá — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Ezki ilauntsua — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 143800; Tilia tomentosa.
[4] Tilia tomentosa — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

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

Source records
  • European White Lime — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia tomentosa.
  • Silver Linden — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia tomentosa.
  • White Lime — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Tilia tomentosa.
Plant references

Source-backed information

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

Taxonomy
Tilia tomentosa 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
15.24–21.34 m

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

Sources [2]
Mature spread
9.14–15.24 m

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

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

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

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

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
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
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
EC. & SE. Europe to Türkiye.

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 × 20.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
4-7
Moisture
Moist, Well-drained
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Seasoning, Tea
Functions
Fibre, Fragrant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
1 out of 5

Young leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked. Dried leaves are sometimes used as an alternative to marjoram (Origanum majorana). The flowers can be used to make tea and as a substitute for chocolate.

Sources and references

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

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Tilia tomentosa — 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 1387444; ID 56WVQ; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1387444; ID 56WVQ; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Tilia tomentosa — 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 tomentosa — 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 625949; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1003560, 1003563, 1003564, 1003565, 1003566, 1003567, 1003568, 1003569, 1003571, 1003572, 1003573

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.