Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

American Basswood (Tilia americana)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Malvales>Tiliaceae>Tilia americana L. var. americana

American Basswood (Tilia americana) leaves

Variety americana of American Basswood is rare in the Mountains of North Carolina. Of the numerous and confusing varieties that have been named, three are currently recognized: (1) The more northerly var. americana occurs in a few Mountain counties. (2) The southerly distributed Carolina Basswood (var. caroliniana), is occasional in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont. (3) White Basswood, var. heterophylla (sometimes recognized as a full species, T. heterophylla), is by far the most common and easy to recognize one, with white hairs on its leaf undersides.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

American Basswood (Tilia americana) leaves

View of leaf undersides, which are not at all glaucous, though the camera's flash almost makes them look so. The leaf undersides are also almost hairless, helping separate it Carolina Basswood. Basswoods are so confusing that trying to identify them has made many botanists pull their hair out from frustration.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

American Basswood (Tilia americana) leaves

Another tree with glabrous, non-glaucous leaf undersides.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

American Basswood (Tilia americana) leaves

Clay Co., NC 5/19/07.

American Basswood (Tilia americana) bark

Bark of a young tree.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

American Basswood (Tilia americana) bark

Clay Co., NC 5/19/07.

American Basswood (Tilia americana) bark

Clay Co., NC 5/19/07.

American Basswood (Tilia americana) bark

Bark of an older tree.

Macon Co., NC 5/14/06.

 

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides

Similar species:
Morus rubra (Red Mulberry)

More information:
Floridata
NC State - Trees of the Maritime Forest
USDA PLANTS
Virginia Tech Dendrology