Common linden

Tilia ✕ europaea – Common linden or common lime

Common linden is a hybrid of the small-leaved linden and the large-leaved linden. Linden trees are popular street trees. They are also a favorite for bees, who love the abundant flowers. A bundle of fruit still adorns this twig in fall. These fruits have some surprising characteristics. When woody, they can be ground to be used as an alternative to coffee. And even weirder, a combination of the dried flower buds with the still green fruit can be made into chocolate. An astonishing tree.

This twig was made in late fall. It includes a separate apical twig, and two variations of lateral twigs.