Tilia platyphyllos Scop.

A deciduous tree. It grows 25-30 m tall and spreads 15-22 m wide. The trunk is slender. The crown is narrow. The small branches droop. The branches often have reddish-brown hairs. The leaves are heart-shaped. They are downy and pale green underneath. The leaves are 10 cm long by 8.5 cm wide. They are green on both surfaces but slightly velvety underneath. The flowers are yellow-green. The flowers hang in clusters of 3 or 4 from long bracts. The flowers have a sweet perfume and are rich in nectar. The fruit are large and grey. They have a thick wall with 5 prominent ribs.

It grows in temperate places. They need soils which retain moisture. It is native to S.W. Asia and S.E. Europe. It grows in mixed deciduous and evergreen woods. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

The young leaves are eaten. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat. The flowers are used to make a drink.

The seeds need to be planted fresh or they develop dormancy which makes them hard to germinate. They can also be grown from cuttings.