Large-leaved linden tree - Large-leaved linden tree

A deciduous tall tree of the family Tiliaceae (APG classification: Malvaceae). It is 20 meters tall, has gray-reddish brown bark, and young branches are densely covered with pale yellow stellate hairs. Its leaves are larger than those of the Japanese linden tree, 7-18 cm long, with a pointed tail at the tip, fine sawtooth edges, and usually deeply heart-shaped at the base. The undersides and veins of the leaves are covered with stellate hairs, and brown hairs are found at the branching points of the mid-vein and lateral veins. The leaves with sparse stellate hairs on the undersides are sometimes distinguished as the Moiwa-bodaiju variety. The flowers bloom in June and July in pale yellow downward-facing corymbs with spatula-shaped bracts. The fruits are covered with brown hairs. It grows in the central and northern parts of Honshu and in the mountainous areas of Hokkaido. It is called Aoshina in contrast to the Japanese linden tree (also known as Akashina), and is used as a plywood log.

[Yuichi Kadota April 17, 2020]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

シナノキ科（APG分類：アオイ科）の落葉高木。高さ20メートル、樹皮は灰赤褐色、若枝には淡黄色の星状毛が密生する。葉はシナノキに比べて大形で、長さ7～18センチメートル、先は尾状にとがり、細い鋸歯(きょし)があり、基部は普通深い心臓形となる。葉の裏面と脈上には星状毛があり、主脈と側脈の分岐点には褐色の毛がある。裏面の星状毛がまばらなものを変種モイワボダイジュとして区別することもある。花は6～7月、へら形の包葉をもつ下向きの散房花序につき、淡黄色。果実には褐色の毛がある。本州の中部・北部、北海道の山地に生える。シナノキ（別名アカシナ）に対してアオシナと称し、合板原木として用いられる。

［門田裕一　2020年4月17日］

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