Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Malvales>Tiliaceae>Tilia americana L. var. caroliniana (P. Miller) Castiglioni

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

Carolina Basswood, currently considered a variety of American Basswood, is a medium-sized deciduous tree, occasional in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

Leaf undersides.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

Closeup of leaf underside, showing hairs.

Uwharrie River slopes, Montgomery Co., NC 4/17/2011.

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

Of the numerous and confusing varieties of American Basswood that have been named, three are currently recognized: (1) The more northerly American Basswood, var. americana, occurs in a few Mountain counties. (2) The southerly distributed Carolina Basswood, var. caroliniana (listed in the Radford manual as both T. caroliniana and T. floridana), is occasional in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont. (3) White Basswood, var. heterophylla (sometimes recognized as a full species, T. heterophylla), is the most common and easy to recognize one -- it has white undersides to its leaves. Its distribution is centered in the Appalachians, where it is common.

Pender Co., NC 4/14/07.

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

Pender Co., NC 8/12/07.

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

Leaf underside.

Pender Co., NC 8/12/07.

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

This Carolina Basswood tree was blooming (and full of bees) at the White Pines Preserve in Chatham Co., NC on 6/18/2005.

Carolina Basswood (Tilia americana var. caroliniana)

Bark detail.

Chatham Co., NC 6/18/05.

 

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides

Similar species:
Morus rubra (Red Mulberry)

More information:
Floridata
NC State - Trees of the Maritime Forest
USDA PLANTS
Virginia Tech Dendrology