Linden
Tilia platyphyllos
Tilia platyphyllos, the large-leaved lime, broad-leaved lime, or large-leaved linden, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae (Tiliaceae). It is a deciduous tree, native to much of continental Europe including southwestern Great Britain, typically growing on limestone-derived soils.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilia_platyphyllos
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Malvales
Family
Malvaceae
Genus
Tilia
Linden belongs to the family Malvaceae, order Malvales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Tilia platyphyllos, the large-leaved lime, broad-leaved lime, or large-leaved linden, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae (Tiliaceae). It is a deciduous tree, native to much of continental Europe including southwestern Great Britain, typically growing on limestone-derived soils. It is not native in Scotland or Ireland, but is naturalised there. The name "lime", possibly a corruption of "line" originally from "lind", has been in use for centuries and also attaches to other species of Tilia. It is not, however, closely related to the lime fruit tree, a species of citrus.
Tilia platyphyllos (Large-leaved Lime) faces significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urban development, particularly affecting its native European range. Climate change and extreme weather events are increasingly impacting remaining populations, while hybridization with other Tilia species threatens genetic integrity.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Tilia platyphyllos (Large-leaved Lime) faces significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and urban development, particularly affecting its native European range. Climate change and extreme weather events are increasingly impacting remaining populations, while hybridization with other Tilia species threatens genetic integrity.
Climate change impacts
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Hybridization with other Tilia species
Limited natural regeneration
Urban development pressure
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Linden (Tilia platyphyllos). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/linden