Scientific Name:
Gymnocladus dioica
Pronunciation:
JIM-nol-la-dus di-o-ee-cuss
Common Name:
Kentucky coffee tree
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Plant Type:
Tree - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Tree with upward arching branches (almost elm-like). Winter ID: rough hard bark with scaly re-curved ridges; buds superposed, globular, , < 2mm wide; terminal buds absent; leaf scars heart-shaped with 5 bundle scars.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical, Vase
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
15 - 22m
Mature Spread:
7 - 10m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
U.S. - central
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 3: (-40 to -34 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Fall interest, Mixed shrub border, Specimen plant, Waterside planting
Additional Info:
Google Cultivar on campus ('Espresso') lacks fruit.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Compound Leaf:
Bipinnate
Colour in Summer:
Green, newly emerging leaves tinges pink and purple
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cuneate, Rounded
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
leaves pubescent beneath when young; short petioles, swollen t base
Inflorescence Type:
Flower Morphology:
Dioecious plant
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Green
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun
Fruit Type:
Legume
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Showy,
Bark Morphology:
Showy, Other
Bark or Stem Colour:
Dark Grey, Dark brown
Additional Info:
bark is rough, thin, firm. Develops interesting mosaic pattern on older branches.
Leaf Bud Type:
Rounded or globular, Superposed
Leaf Scar Shape:
Heart shaped
Organ Modifications:
Root nodules (N-fixing)
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant)
