small-leaved lime

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• little-leaved linden
• small-leaved European linden
• small-leaved linden
• Small-Leaved Lime
• linden
• littleleaf linden
• small-leaf European linden
• small-leaf lime
• small-leaf linden

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, falling into the family Malvaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Tilia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within Northern Europe. In the southern part of this territory, it can be found growing in Denmark. Its range extends further north into the landscapes of Norway and Sweden. Additionally, the species is present throughout the vast forests of Finland. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes the islands of Great Britain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tilia cordata is primarily defined by its preference for stable, established forest ecosystems, where it functions as a key component of the canopy layer. It thrives in temperate deciduous forests, often occupying nutrient-rich, well-drained soils that maintain consistent moisture levels, though it shows a degree of resilience to varying soil types provided they are not excessively waterlogged. As a shade-tolerant species during its juvenile stages, it is capable of growing in the understory, waiting for canopy gaps to emerge before ascending to the upper layers of the forest structure. This species plays a vital role in its habitat by providing complex structural diversity and supporting a wide array of pollinators, particularly bees, through its nectar-rich flowering period. Its presence is often indicative of mature, undisturbed woodland environments where its long-lived nature allows it to contribute significantly to the long-term carbon sequestration and microclimate regulation of the forest floor.

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Tilia cordata is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its buds are borne on conspicuous branches well above the ground, a growth form that facilitates its development into a substantial tree structure. This species exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which plays a critical role in its metabolic regulation and survival during colder periods. Throughout its life cycle, the plant maintains its status as a phanerophyte, utilizing its elevated woody structure to optimize light interception and reproductive success.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tilia cordata is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting, independent species that grows in a terrestrial habitat, functioning neither as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. This tree reaches significant dimensions, with a height ranging from a minimum of 20 meters to a maximum of 35 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 25 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

35 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tilia cordata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on its root system and soil nutrient availability for mineral uptake rather than capturing prey. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 271.72 cm²/g, reflecting a leaf morphology optimized for efficient light interception and gas exchange within its temperate forest habitat.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

271.72 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tilia cordata is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for pollination. The reproductive cycle involves self-fertilization being absent, necessitating these insect vectors for successful fertilization. The resulting fruit is classified as an achene and is characterized by its dry texture; furthermore, the fruit is indehiscent. The seeds produced during this cycle exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.0386075 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.031 g to a maximum of 0.05 g. In terms of physical dimensions, the seed volume is consistent at 41 mm³, representing both the minimum, maximum, and mean values. Once mature, the seeds employ an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind to facilitate their distribution.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.05 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0386075 g

Seed mass min:

0.031 g

Seed volume max:

41 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tilia cordata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Tilia cordata has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CU, FE, (epi)afzelechin, (epi)catechin, Astragalin.

CU

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny
2. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

FE

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny
2. Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti

(epi)afzelechin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

(epi)catechin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Astragalin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CA

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

CATECHIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Coumarins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Esculin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Fraxin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Tilia cordata has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihemolytic.

Antihemolytic

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Conditions

Tilia cordata has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, HHV-1, diabetes mellitus.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Hhv-1

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy

Preparations

Tilia cordata has 4 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include herb infusions, herbal infusions, medicinal teas, water extracts.

Herb infusions

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

Herbal infusions

1. Mutation research

Medicinal teas

1. Revista medico-chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi

Water extracts

1. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek