Pronounced (approximate): TIL-ee-uh a-mer-ih-KAY-nuh
Also called American Linden, this native woodland tree has broad, heart-shaped leaves and dangling clusters of fragrant flowers. These photographs highlight its leaf shapes, autumn color and flowering bracts.
American Basswood flowers and their pale, strap-shaped bracts. Select a photograph for a closer look.
Growth form: Deciduous tree
Habitat: Rich, moist woodlands
Leaves: Alternate, simple and toothed
Flowers: Creamy yellow clusters in early summer
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Look in rich hardwood forests and moist woodland slopes. Early summer brings flowers; autumn foliage turns yellow. Photograph leaves, twigs and reproductive structures together for a stronger identification.
Other lindens can resemble American Basswood, especially in planted landscapes. Leaf size alone is not conclusive. Redbud also has heart-shaped leaves but lacks the toothed margins and distinctive flower bracts shown here.
Older trunks develop ridges and furrows. Bark varies with age and is best used alongside leaves and twigs, rather than as the sole identification feature.
The leaf photographs show broad blades, pointed tips and unequal sides at the base. The flower close-ups show pale petals and numerous stamens beneath the narrow bracts.
The long, pale structure beside each flower cluster is a bract, a modified leaf. Later, small rounded nutlets develop, and the bract helps carry the fruit cluster as it falls.
6 field photographs showing flowers, bracts, green leaves and autumn color. Select a photograph to enlarge it and browse the slideshow.
Native to eastern and central North America, including Wisconsin. American Basswood is an important member of many rich hardwood forests.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.
The Morton Arboretum: American Basswood · National Park Service: American Basswood identification · US Forest Service: American Basswood
Spotted a possible identification error or have an observation to share? Leave a comment below. For an ID correction, include the photo filename and the features that support your suggestion.