Wildflower - Basswood

The Basswood trees (Tilia americana), also known as the American linden tree, are in full bloom in the hedgerow behind our barn. The 5-petaled fragrant, yellow-white flowers grow in small clusters. The basswood trees in our neighborhood bloom about every other year and it's hard to miss the perfumed air when the flowers are in bloom.



Honey bees and other nectar loving insects are attracted to the fragrant flower and thousands of wild honey bees were attracted to our trees.





A distinctive feature of the basswood is the tongue-like bract (a modified leaf) attached to each cluster of flowers. This leaf is lighter in color than the other leaves and has a dramatically different shape. No other tree in North America bears anything like it. In the fall the flowers in the clusters will be replaced with with the basswood seeds and bract leaf will break loose and the wind will carry the seeds away from the tree.