Tilia is the common name of a genus of approximately 30 species of various trees. The greatest species variety of Tilia is found in Asia, in Europe, and in the eastern part of North America. In Britain, the trees are commonly called lime, in some part of Europe they are called linden, and in North America, they are known as linden and basswood.
The trees of this species are largely deciduous, reaching a height of usually 20-40 metres, with heart-shaped leaves of 6-20 centimetres across. The precise number of Tilia species is still subjected to substantial ambiguity, seeing that several (or the majority) of this species hybridise without much difficulty, both in cultivation and in the wild. All lindens may be disseminated by their seed, as well as through grafting and cutting. Though they grow fast in fertile soil, they are still subjected to the assault of many insect enemies.
The tree brings out nectar-producing and pleasant-smelling flowers. They are significant honey plants beneficial to beekeepers, for they produce an extremely pale but lavishly flavoured mono-floral honey. In Europe, the flowers of the tree are used for herbal tea. The lime trees’ lumber is soft and easily worked with, and is a well-liked timber for intricate carving and model building. Lime flowers are also used as medicines for cough, colds, infections, fever, inflammation, headache, high blood pressure, and as a sedative. The flowers may also used when taking a bath to suppress hysteria, and steeped as a tea to alleviate anxiety-related dyspepsia, vomiting, and irregular heartbeat. Its wood is also applied to gallbladder and liver disorders and the leaves are employed to encourage sweating to lessen fevers.
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