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American Basswood
Ojibwe Name:
wiigobimizh
Scientific Name:
Tillia americana
Significance in Ojibwe Cultures:
American basswood fibres are used for tying wild rice stalks before harvest.
How to Identify the Leaves:
"Basswood has large, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges and a short point. The twigs have a noticeable zigzag appearance. The fragrant yellow flowers and round grayish-brown fruit hang from the centre of a leaf-like bract. When released, the bract acts like a helicopter wing and carries the seeds away in a breeze. The bark is gray-brown with long narrow ridges."
Sources:
Translation: https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/wiigobimizh-na
Significance in Ojibwe Cultures: https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/collection/basswood-fiber
How to Identify Tree: https://www.ontario.ca/page/basswood
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