TILIA.—LINDEN FLOWERS. Description

Linden flowers are borne in cymes, which are axillary, and the peduncles are partly united to a greenish-yellow, linear, leaf-like bract. The petals are 5 and whitish, or approach yellow, are oblong, or lanceolate, generally notched. The calyx is 5-parted. The stamens are numerous and hypogynous, somewhat united at their bases so as to form 5 clusters (in the last two species), while in the others the stamens are connected at their bases with a petaloid scale opposite the petal. Ovary 5-celled; style 1; stigma 5-lobed; fruit a spherical, nut-like capsule, 1-celled, and 1 or 2-seeded. When fresh, the odor is agreeable; when dry, faint. The taste is mucilaginous and sweetish.