Tilia platyphyllos (Large Leaved Lime)

Common Name: Large Leaved Lime

Tilia platyphyllos, commonly known as the Large Leaved Lime, is the rarest of our native limes and is only subtly different from small-leaved lime. The leaves are heart-shaped with a pointed tip, softly furry and with hairy stalks. They are larger than those of the small-leaved lime, growing 6–12cm in length, and droop in hot weather.

The bark is darker than that of small-leaved lime, and smooth, developing flaky plates with age. Twigs are grey-green in the shade but look reddish in sunlight. Limes are hermaphrodites, meaning both male and female reproductive parts are contained within each flower.

Flowers are green-yellow, have five petals, and hang in clusters of 4–10. Once pollinated by insects, flowers develop into round-to-oval smooth fruits with pointed tips. Unlike small-leaved lime, large-leaved lime does not produce suckers from the base of the trunk.

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