This lime tree is showing delicate cymes of flower at the eastern end of the South Walk.
This Chinese lime is one of approximately 30 woody species which occur in Europe, Asia and North America. The genus was previously assigned its own family, Tiliaceae, but is now classified as a member of the mallow family, Malvaceae. Tilia tuan was first collected by Augustine Henry in 1890 in Sichuan, but it occurs throughout temperate China and extends into norther Vietnam. The leaves have a dark green matt upper surface, and a hairy (tomentose) lower surface, and have either an entire or gently toothed leaf margin. Pale green floral bracts are borne in summer, and these bear cymes of up to 15 flowers, which are followed by woody fruits covered in brown hairs.