Page 216 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Trees and Shrubs

American Basswood or They are usually smooth and hairless on both sides but

American Linden, occasionally have soft downy hairs on the lower sur-
face.
Tilia americana Yellowish-
white fra-
Tilia americana belongs to the Malvaceae (Mallow/ grant flowers
Hibiscus) Family. It is most commonly known as grow in
American Basswood, American Linden, and American drooping
Lime Tree. The common name of this plant is from clusters of 5
“bastwood,” referring to use of the inner bark, the to 20 and are
“bast,” for weaving rope and baskets. The tree is a na- about ½ inch
tive to eastern and mid North America. (1.25 cm)
wide. It flow-
Identification: American Basswood is a large de- ers May thru
ciduous tree that reaches a height of 60 to 100 feet June for
(18m to 30m). It has a trunk diameter of 3 to 6 feet about 2
(0.9m to 1.8m) at maturity. It has gray furrowed bark weeks. Fruits
with flat ridges.
are small dry
Leaves of American Basswood are deciduous, alter- round nut-
nate, and unevenly heart-shaped. Leaves are 4 to 6 lets that
inches (10 cm) long, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide, thick ripen in
and slightly leathery, with sharply serrated margins.
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