Tilia cordata Mill. – Family: Tiliaceae

General Characteristics

A deciduous tree that can grow up to 30 meters tall, with dark gray-brown bark and a rounded crown. 

The leaves are alternate, up to 10 cm long, heart-shaped with an asymmetrical base, serrated, and covered with a tomentose texture on the veins of the underside. 

The flowers are pentamerous, yellowish, grouped in clusters of 3-16 in pendulous inflorescences, with a light green elongated bract. 

The fruits are rounded, warty nuts, maturing in autumn. 

Pollination occurs via insects (entomophilous), and seed dispersal is by wind (anemochory).

USES

The wood is used in carpentry.  The species is widely used in urban landscaping. 

The flowers have calming properties.

CURIOSITIES

The genus name comes from the Greek word ptilon, meaning "wing," referring to the bract.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

A native species in Europe. 

In Italy, it is found in the central-northern regions.

Judas Tree

Cercis siliquastrum L. – Family: Fabaceae

General Characteristics

A deciduous tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall, with dark bark and a spherical crown. 

The leaves are deciduous, alternate, heart-shaped, up to 13 cm long, smooth, and darker green on the upper surface. 

The flowers are grouped in racemose inflorescences, emerging directly from the trunk. The calyx is purple and bell-shaped; the corolla is papilionaceous with red-violet petals. 

The fruits are linear pods, up to 15 cm long, purple when mature, dehiscent; flowering occurs before the leaves appear.

USES

The wood is used for its dyeing properties. 

The plant is also cultivated in parks and gardens.

CURIOSITIES

According to a legend, this is the tree where Judas hanged himself.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

A native species of the eastern Mediterranean region; naturalized in the rest of the Mediterranean.