Linden Flower

Linden is an herb that comes from various species of Tilia, or linden tree. It has been used in European folk medicine for centuries to treat a wide range of health problems. In Europe, Linden trees are known to have reached ages measured in centuries. Depending on the species, fragrance of the flowers ranges from potent and sweet to quite rich. Due total volatile oil found in the flowers, linden tea has a pleasing taste.

To the ancients the Lindens seem to have appealed rather by their utility than by their beauty. It is doubful whether Aristophanes, in the allusion to the tree in his ”Birds”, is merely speaking of a rival poet as being light as Linden-wood, or is accusing him more specifically of wearing an effeminate article of dress, strenghthened in those days by laths of Linden-wood in place of the whale-bone now usual.

Description and Cultivation

Linden species are large deciduous  trees that can grow to a height of 25 of 33 meters. The leaves are alternately arranged, rounded to triangular-ovate, 3-8 cm long and broad, mostly hairless (unlike the related Tilia platyphyllos). The yellowish-white flowers of Tilia cordata are arranged in clusters that hang from slender stalks. The fruit is a dry nut-like drupe 6-7 mm long and 4 mm broad. Linden tree may be propagated by cuttings and grafting as well as by seed. They grow rapidly in a rich soil, but are subject to the attacks of many insect enemies. It needs in sun or partial shade, will tolerate alkaline soil if it is moist, and it transplants well. It is nor particularly tolerant of drought, scorching at the leaf margins in summer drought.

Scientific Classification
Kingdom : Plantea
Division : Magnoliophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Malvales
Family : Tiliaceae
Genius : Tilia
Species : Small-leafed linden,Tilia cordata, can live to 1,000 years, Large-leafed linden Tilia platyphyllos Silver linden, Tilia argentea