Plant Profile: Gymnocladus chinensis

Names

Chinese Coffee Tree, Soap Tree

  • Photo of Gymnocladus chinensis (Gymnocladus chinensiss)

Phonetic Spelling:jim-no-KLAD-us chy-NEN-sis

Genus:Gymnocladus

Species:chinensis

Family:Fabaceae

The Chinese Coffee Tree is a small, deciduous tree indigenous to China, belonging to the bean family. This tree grows slowly and features large, bipinnately compound leaves that initially appear purple before transitioning to green. In autumn, its foliage transforms into vibrant yellow, creating a striking display. Due to its light shade, it serves as an excellent choice for planting beneath larger trees.

Gymnocladus chinensis Feature Summary

Gymnocladus chinensis Image Gallery

Tags

#deciduous
#small tree
#small spaces
#purple leaves
#slow growing
#large leaves
#fall interest
#deciduous tree
#fall color yellow

Similar Plants

Gymnocladus chinensis is often confused with:

Gymnocladus chinensis Feature Summary

Attributes
The beans are boiled and used for making soap. Wood is used in cabinet making.
Flowers
Pale yellow-white with a little purple. Dioecious so both male and female plants are needed to produce fruits.
Purple/Lavender
White
Gold/Yellow
Leaves
Large bipinnately compound leaves start out purple and turn green. Brigt yellow fall color.
Green
Purple/Lavender
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
> 6 inches
> 6 inches
Stem
Young stems are purple green
Purple/Lavender
Green
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
3a
3b
Landscape
Street Tree
Small Tree

Gymnocladus chinensis Attributes

Gymnocladus chinensis: Uses (Ethnobotany)

The beans are boiled and used for making soap. Wood is used in cabinet making.

Gymnocladus chinensis: Country Or Region Of Origin

China

Gymnocladus chinensis: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Gymnocladus chinensis Flowers

Gymnocladus chinensis: Flower Description

Pale yellow-white with a little purple. Dioecious so both male and female plants are needed to produce fruits.

Gymnocladus chinensis: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow
filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender
filter_vintage
White

Gymnocladus chinensis Leaves

Gymnocladus chinensis: Leaf Description

Large bipinnately compound leaves start out purple and turn green. Brigt yellow fall color.

Gymnocladus chinensis: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Gymnocladus chinensis: Leaf Color

spa
Green
spa
Purple/Lavender

Gymnocladus chinensis: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color

spa
Gold/Yellow

Gymnocladus chinensis: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Gymnocladus chinensis: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Gymnocladus chinensis: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Gymnocladus chinensis: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Gymnocladus chinensis Stem

Gymnocladus chinensis: Stem Description

Young stems are purple green

Gymnocladus chinensis: Stem Color

grass
Green
grass
Purple/Lavender

Gymnocladus chinensis: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Gymnocladus chinensis Whole Plant Traits

Gymnocladus chinensis: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Gymnocladus chinensis: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Gymnocladus chinensis: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Gymnocladus chinensis Cultural Conditions

Gymnocladus chinensis: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Gymnocladus chinensis: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
3a
thermostat
3b
thermostat
4a
thermostat
4b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b

Gymnocladus chinensis Landscape

Gymnocladus chinensis: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Gymnocladus chinensis: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland