Content
- The leaves of linden - forms, acids and symbolism
- The typical heart shape of linden leaves
- The properties depending on the type
- size
- shape
- colour
- ur
- Indications of diseases
No linden leaf is like the other
The leaves of linden - forms, acids and symbolism
The leaves of the linden are probably one of the most characteristic features of the popular deciduous tree. Her large heart shape has inspired poetic feelings in the past, but she also has some practical advantages.
The typical heart shape of linden leaves
The leaves of Linden are alternate and two-rowed, that is, arranged regularly. Their generous bulges on the stem approach are characteristic, almost legendary. Because in combination with the finely tapered blade tip results in a clear heart shape, which has brought mankind countless times to emotional connotations. It is no coincidence that Linde has established itself as a symbol of love in many cultural circles and is the subject of numerous poetic works of art.
The combination of appearance and symbolism:
The properties depending on the type
In total, there are about 20 to 40 species of linden trees, which always differ slightly in their vegetative characteristics. In addition to quite different stature heights between 15 and 40 meters, the leaves also each have their own characteristics, especially with respect to the following criteria:
size
Size is one of the most obvious criteria in species differentiation. Especially in the two most important species in our central European latitudes, the summer and winter bark, size is the clearest distinguishing feature. In the summer bark, the leaf reaches a length of about 12 cm, the slightly rounder winter linden leaf is only about 6 cm long and 5 cm wide. The leaves of the American linden can even reach about 20 cm in length. Through their large, light leaves Linden are extremely pleasant shade donors.
shape
The foliage outline is typically heart-shaped in the various linden species, but sometimes more round and sometimes elongated. The leaf margin is usually serrated, also here there are different forms. The leaf of Henrys Linde, for example, shows a very strong perforation, in summer and winter bark it is rather fine. Some non-native species also have slightly varying leaf contours, such as the Mongolian linden tree with its distinct tip-lobes.
colour
The colors vary only slightly, the leaves of summer or American linden are rather bright, the winter and especially the silver or the Crimean linden are darker. The silver linden also shows a silvery coating on the underside of the leaves, the leaf of the Crimean lime is shinier than that of the other varieties.
ur
Some species of linden show a fine hairiness on the leaf surfaces and on the stems. This is the case with the summer and winter bark. The hair falls brownish in the winter linden, whitish in the summer linden. In the winter bark, however, there is only on the veining of the underside of the leaf hairiness, the leaf of the summer bark, however, is completely covered with the fine fluff.
Indications of diseases
In the case of pest infestation, the leaves of the Linde can be indicators in particular. This is particularly the case with the Lindengallmilbe, whose infestations form small red croissants on the top of the leaves.