BASSWOODS. 277 



Linden Family. 



A family of about 35 genera and 245 species widely dis- 

 tributed in warm and tropical regions, a few in the temperate 

 zone. 



Genus TILIA. 



A genus of about 12 species, only one of which is found 

 in Minnesota. They are all handsome, valuable trees with 

 soft white wood. 



Leaves alternate, more or less heart-shaped, often soft 

 and downy. Flowers with five spatulate, oblong petals, 

 cream colored, in small cyomes or clusters, hanging on an 

 axillary, slender peduncle, which is attached to a long, slen- 

 der and thin leaf-like bract. Fruit a small globular nut, one- 

 celled, one or two sweded, attached to the leaf-like bract and 

 ripening in autumn. The flowers are fragrant and yield a 

 large quantity of clear, white, delicately flavored honey. The 

 European Linden (T. vulgaris) is mentioned here as being 

 one of promising value for cultivation in this section. 



Tilia americana. Basswood. American Linden. 

 White Wood. Bee Tree. 



Leaves large, alternate, nearly round or more or less 

 heart-shaped, commonly oblique at the base, serrate abruptly 

 pointed, green on both sides and glabrous, or nearly so. 

 Flowers yellowish-white, conspicuous, fragrant, appearing in 

 June. Tree large, often attaining a height of 70 feet and a 

 diameter of 3 feet. The bark of the trunk is furrowed and its 

 light brown surface is broken into small, thin scales. The 

 bark on the young growth is light gray and gradually 

 becomes dark and finally brown. Very few varieties of this 

 species are cultivated. 



Distribution. It is found from New Brunswick west to 

 Assiniboia and south to Georgia and Texas. In Minnesota 

 the Basswood is generally common throughout the state and 

 is very abundant in the Big Woods. 



