Tilia americana is in the Tilioideae subfamily of Malvaceae. Commonly known as American basswood, it is native to the northeastern forests of the United States, where it is a dominant tree species. American basswood can grow over 100 feet tall, and live for over 2 centuries, producing dense umbels of flowers which provide nectar to visiting pollinators and seeds to scavenging rodents. American basswood is used in a variety of ways. It is a popular ornamental tree for use along sidewalks and roadways, and it’s wood is used for sculpture, furniture, and guitar making. The young leaves are edible, and the flowers can be used to make a tea.