707. TILIA CHINENSIS

Abstract

Tilia chinensis Maxim. is widespread and locally frequent in the mountains of south-western China, mainly in Yunnan and Sichuan. It occurs in mixed evergreen-deciduous, broad-leaved forests and extends up to over 3000 m in coniferous forests and birch woodland. The species is very distinct and easily recognised by its normally orbicular, serrate leaves, sessile or shortly stalked, oblong bracts, cyme with only three flowers and large ellipsoidal fruits with longitudinal ribs, especially prominent when dry. Evidence is summarised for including T. intonsa Wilson, T. laetivirens Rehd. & Wilson and T. yunnanensis Hu within T. chinensis. Until recently T. chinensis was rare in cultivation in the British Isles and confined to botanic gardens and arboreta. Young trees grow slowly but leaf-out late and usually avoid damage from spring frosts; they grow well on moist but freely draining, moderately fertile soils in the shelter of glades.