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Identifying Lime
There are three native types of lime in Britain: the small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata), the large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos ) and the common lime (Tilia x europaea): a hybrid of small leaved and broad leaved lime.
The small leaved lime was a dominant tree in the forests that formed in the UK after the Ice Age – especially in the East. Limes are sometimes known as Lindens or Basswoods.
Leaf
Simple broad leaves: the two halves of a leaf are not symmetrical. The leaf margin may appear complete at first glance, but in fact there are many tiny teeth.
Veins are prominent on the underside of the leaf. The common lime has small tufts of white hair in the angles of the veins. The small leaved lime has brown tufts.
The top surface is darker in colour than the lower surface. The small leaved lime (Tilia cordata) has heart shaped leaves. Limes attract aphids (greenfly & blackfly) which feed on the leaves, producing a sticky honeydew: think twice before parking your car beneath limes!
Buds, Bark and Stem
Buds alternate along the shoots, and may have a slight red tinge to them. The bark is somewhat grey, with darker grey fissures.
Flowers and Fruits
Flowers, which are yellow-white and have 5 petals and sepals, hang from a leaf like structure called a bracteole. The fruits also hang from this structure.
Winter Twigs
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