688 



The Basswoods 



Fig. 639. Ashe's Linden. 



the sepals are ovate-lanceo- 

 late; the petals are 5 to 6 mm. 

 long, the staminodes spatulate; 

 ovary brown-tomentose. The 

 fruit is nearly globular, 5 to 7 

 mm. in diameter, not pointed. 

 This recently described 

 Linden is very little known ex- 

 cept from the original description 

 and a few herbarium specimens, 

 and it may not be specifically 

 distinct from the preceding spe- 

 cies. Its wood is probably very 

 similar to that of the other Lin- 

 dens and used indiscriminately 

 as such. The flowers open 

 about the middle of June, a Httle 

 earlier than those of the White 

 linden, whose flowers are somewhat larger. If it should prove hardy at the North 

 it ^vould be a most desirable addition to the list of trees available for ornamental 

 planting. 



6. MICHAUX'S BASSWOOD-TiliaMichauxii Nuttall 



Tilia alba F. A. Michaux, not Linnaeus 



This magnificent tree occurs 

 from Pennsylvania and Ohio south 

 to Georgia and Alabama. It grows 

 in rich soil along streams, seldom 

 occurring upon the hills, reaching a 

 maximum height of 30 meters, with 

 a proportionately thick trunk. The 

 silvery gray, rather smooth bark of 

 the branches is in contrast to the 

 darker, broadly furrowed bark of 

 the trunk. It is also called White 

 bass wood. 



The leaves are firm, rather large, 

 7 to 22 cm. long, cordate or rarely 

 truncate at the ver}- obHcjue base, 

 taper-pointed and sharply-toothed, 

 bright green and shining above, 

 gray- or silvery- woolly beneath; the 

 slender leaf-stalk is 3 to 5 cm. long; 



Fig. 640. Michaux's Basswood. 



