'''''Tilia × europaea''''' <small>[[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]</small>, generally known as the '''Common Lime''', is a naturally-occurring [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] between ''[[Tilia cordata]]'' (Small-leaved lime) and ''[[Tilia platyphyllos]]'' (Large-leaved lime). It occurs in the wild at scattered localities wherever the two parent species are both native.<ref name=rushforth>Rushforth, K. (1999). ''Trees of Britain and Europe''. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.</ref><ref name=fnwe>Flora of NW Europe: [http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/BIS/flora.php?selected=beschrijving&menuentry=soorten&id=2131 ''Tilia × europaea'']</ref>
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It is a large [[deciduous]] [[tree]] up to 20–46 m tall with a trunk up to 2 m diameter. The [[leaf|leaves]] are intermediate between the parents, 6–15 cm long and 6–12 cm broad, thinly hairy below with tufts of denser hairs in the leaf vein axils. The [[flower]]s are produced in clusters of four to ten in early summer with a leafy yellow-green subtending bract; they are fragrant, and pollinated by [[bee]]s. The [[fruit]] is a dry nut-like drupe 8 mm diameter, downy and faintly ribbed; .<ref name=rushforth/>
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It is very widely cultivated, being readily and cheaply propagated by [[layering]]; as a result, it is often the commonest ''Tilia'' species in urban areas and in [[avenue (landscape)|avenues]]. It is not however the best species of this purpose, as it produces abundant stem sprouts, and also carries heavy [[aphid]] populations resulting in [[honeydew]] deposits on everything underneath the trees.<ref name=rushforth/>