Tiliaceae
(Linden, Basswood Family)
[Latin name, meaning "wing"]
50 Genera (1 on campus)
450 species
I. Leaves
A. Alternate
B. Simple
C. Stipulate
D. Serrate
E. Inequilateral base
II. Flowers
A. Perfect
B. Regular
C. 5-merous
D. 1, 2- to 10-celled pistil
III. Fruits
A. Capsule, drupe, berry, or nutlike
Tilia has
nutlike
fruits associated with
distinctive
ovate bract
IV. Economic importance
A. Wood
1. Plywood -
glues easily
2. Boxes &
crates for foodstuff
doesn't smell
3. Concealed
parts of furniture
doesn't warp, check
4. Excelsior
- shaves easily
B. Soil improvement through high Ca, Mg, P,
N, K
content in
leaves
C. Nectar source for honey bees
D. Ornamental
V. Range
A. World wide, mostly in tropics