Tilia cordata Small leaved lime (Tiliaceae) Deciduous tree

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Tilia cordata
Small leaved lime
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Tilia cordata plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Tiliaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Small leaved lime. Some home gardeners know the variety as T. microphylla. T. parvifolia. T. ulmifolia.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Tilia cordata
Common Name:  Small leaved lime
Family:  Tiliaceae
Author:  Mill.

Known Hazards:  If the flowers used for making tea are too old, they may produce symptons of narcotic intoxication[4].

Mature Height:  30   Mature Width:  12

Habitat:  Woods on most fertile soils, especially limestone, it is commonly found on wooded limestone cliffs[17].

Cultivation Notes: Prefers a good moist loamy alkaline to neutral soil but it also succeeds on slightly acid soils[200]. Grows poorly on any very dry or very wet soil[200]. Tolerates considerable exposure[125, K]. Succeeds in sun or semi-shade[188]. Plants can be transplanted quite easily, even when large, trees up to 60 years old have been moved successfully[1, 74]. Trees are very amenable to coppicing or pollarding[186]. They produce numerous suckers from the base[98]. Suckers are produced but not freely according to another report[186]. This species produces far less suckers than T. platyphyllos or T. x vulgaris[238]. This species grows well in Britain, but it rarely produces viable seed in areas with cool summers[200]. Lime trees tend to hybridise freely if other members of the genus are growing nearby[238]. If growing plants from seed it is important to ensure the seed came from a wild source or from an isolated clump of the single species[K]. Grows best in a woodland situation, young plants tolerate a reasonable level of side shade[186]. Mature trees cast a dense shade[186]. A very valuable bee plant, producing an abundance of nectar[186]. A valuable species for wildlife, there are 31 species of insects associated with this tree[24]. The leaves are very attractive to leaf aphis and these aphis produce an abunbance of sweet secretions which drip off the leaves to the the ground below and also attract sooty mould fungus[186]. This makes the tree unsuitable for street planting. This species, however, is less likely to become infested with aphis than T. platyphyllos or T. x vulgaris[238]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[188]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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