Week 17 - Tilia cordata; Small-leaved Lime
The tricky thing with identifying Limes is that unless you have a small-leaved one growing right next to a large-leaved one (Tilia platyphyllos) for comparison, then how can you be sure how big the leaves are? Then there is the Common Lime (Tilia x vulgaris), which is a hybrid between the two and, well, common. My chosen one this week, though, is distinct because it has downward-arching branches rather than upward, and upward-angled flowers rather than drooping ones like the other two (see below). Often found in woodland on limestone and also as a street tree because it is pollution tolerant. In this context aphids usually attack the tree and suck its sap, excreting sticky 'honeydew' (nice word for aphid poo) all over the cars below.
It is in flower right now, but they are very subtle blooms, so you will have to keep a sharp eye out.
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| Tilia cordata flower - not-so-downwards... |
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| Tilia platyphyllos flower - definitely downwards |
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| Tilia cordata leaf |
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| Tilia cordata form |
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