American Basswood
Tilia americana · Malvaceae (Mallow family, formerly classified under Tiliaceae)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Broadly cordate (heart-shaped) to ovate with an asymmetrical base
Margin
Serrate with distinct, sharp teeth along the edge
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate with a strong, prominent midrib and a distinctly asymmetric base where primary veins diverge
Key Features
Distinguished by its very large, heart-shaped leaves with sharply toothed margins and a conspicuously lopsided (asymmetrical) leaf base where the blade meets the petiole
Description
The American Basswood is a large, stately deciduous tree known for its straight trunk, soft white wood, and fragrant drooping clusters of yellowish-white flowers that yield prized honey. The leaves are characteristically large, heart-shaped, and remarkably lopsided at the base, turning a soft yellow in autumn before dropping.
Habitat
Rich, moist, well-drained soils of deciduous forests, often found along streams, ravines, and lower slopes
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Nova Scotia west to Manitoba, and south to northeast Texas and Florida