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
Asymmetrically cordate (heart-shaped) with an acuminate tip; distinctly uneven or oblique leaf base where one side is significantly larger than the other
Margin
Serrate to doubly serrate with sharp, coarse teeth along the entire edge
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the twig, supported by a slender, curved petiole
Venation
Palmate venation radiating from the asymmetrical base, transitioning into prominent pinnate secondary veins extending outward to the margins
Key Features
Deeply asymmetrical cordate leaf base, sharply serrated margins, prominent coarse teeth, a tapering acuminate tip, and a slender petiole easily distinguish this leaf from other heart-shaped deciduous foliage.
Description
The American Basswood is a magnificent, fast-growing deciduous shade tree known for its dense, rounded crown, deeply furrowed grey bark, and fragrant clusters of yellowish-white flowers that hang beneath a distinctive leafy bract. Its large, heart-shaped leaves provide dense summer shade and turn a soft, pale yellow in the autumn before dropping.
Habitat
Typically found in rich, moist soils of deciduous forests, along ravines, stream banks, and lower slopes where soil is deep, well-draining, and nutrient-rich
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, stretching from southeastern Canada down through the eastern United States to the edge of the Great Plains and northern Texas