Linds are best known for their magnificent, shade-providing growth, their light green, heart-shaped leaves and their fragrant flowers. But what about the seeds? In addition to their reproductive function, they offer something more!
What are lime seeds and how to use them?
Linde seeds are oil-containing fruits that can be used to propagate the tree. To grow a linden tree from seeds, you need patience because it takes decades to grow. The seeds of the winter lime tree are edible and can be chewed raw or enjoyed cooked.
The Seed of the Linden Tree
The linden tree is generally a very prolific tree. This can be seen, on the one hand, in the various methods it has up its sleeve - in addition to the generative variant via flower pollination and subsequent seed formation, the linden tree can also reproduce vegetatively via root spawn or cane shoots. However, even with the generative method alone, it ensures that its species is preserved by producing a large number of seeds.
In each of the five chambers of the ovary within the flower system there are two ovules - so every ripe fruit contains two seeds. The large number of flowers results in a lot of seeds, which are often fertilized due to the flowers' popularity with bees and other pollinators.
Let's hold on to it again:
- Linde can reproduce vegetatively (via cell division) and generatively (via seeds)
- therefore quite productive reproduction
- numerous seed formation
Growing linden trees from seeds
However, growing a linden tree from a seed yourself is not entirely trivial. Above all, the project requires a lot of persistence. It takes decades for a seed to become a young plant and eventually a full-grown tree. And of course, especially in the early years, the sapling needs care and protection.
You can of course collect seeds yourself from the spherical nuts of a linden tree and try your luck. You can also buy seed packs (€10.00 on Amazon) for little money in Sämerei. The success rate will be higher due to the professional background.
In nature, a seed fruit borne on the bract in autumn germinates in the following spring. Fruits that are harvested while still green can also germinate immediately.
Linde fruits to eat
What many people don't know is that not only the flowers of the linden tree can be used culinary - for example for tea or to flavor desserts - but also its fruits. The seed pulp within the nut contains a lot of oil and is therefore extremely nutritious. However, only the fruits of the winter linden tree are really edible; those of the summer linden tree have a too hard consistency. The seeds can be easily chewed or cooked for even better edibility and digestibility.
