Gymnocladus dioicus: Uses (Ethnobotany)
The roasted, ground pods were used as a coffee substitute though it has no caffeine. Seeds were roasted for food because they are toxic raw.
Plant Profile: Gymnocladus dioicus
Taxonomy: Gymnocladus dioicusNames
Kentucky Coffeetree, Kentucky Coffee Tree
Phonetic Spelling:jim-noh-KLAY-dus dye-oh-EE-kus
Genus:Gymnocladus
Species:dioicus
Family:Fabaceae
The Kentucky Coffee Tree is a native deciduous tree from the bean family that exhibits a slow to moderate growth rate. Known for its resilience against air pollution and drought, it serves as an excellent choice for rain gardens or landscapes where shade is desired. Its unique shape and seed pods add visual interest during the winter months.
For optimal growth, plant this tree in full sunlight within moist, well-drained soil, although it can adapt to various soil types. To prevent the formation of seed pods, choose male specimens. This tree is a reliable option for urban environments, demonstrating tolerance to both drought and air pollution.
In terms of pests and diseases, the Kentucky Coffee Tree faces no significant issues, although some may find the leaf litter and seed pods to be a nuisance on hard surfaces.
Gymnocladus dioicus Feature Summary
Gymnocladus dioicus Image Gallery
Tags
#showy flowers
#deciduous
#large shade tree
#poisonous
#full sun tolerant
#rain garden
#fragrant flowers
#drought tolerant
#native tree
#low maintenance
#winter interest
#air pollution tolerant
#street tree
#showy fruits
#NC native
#messy fruits
Similar Plants
Gymnocladus dioicus is often confused with:
Gymnocladus dioicus Feature Summary
Attributes
The roasted, ground pods were used as a coffee substitute though it has no caffeine. Seeds were roasted for food because they are toxic raw.
South Eastern Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
Seeds, roasted and ground, can be used as a substitute for coffee; does not have caffeine.
Woody
Fruit
Female trees develop fruit; a flat black to red-brown 10" seed pod with 4-7 seeds with a sticky pulp between them. Male trees are considered desirable because of lack of pods, though they can be attractive.
Legume
Red/Burgundy
Brown/Copper
Black
Fall
Winter
> 3 inches
Flowers
Greenish white showy bloom in the late spring to early summer. Separate male and female trees. Male flowers appear in clusters 4" long while female flowers are in fragrant12" long panicles.
White
Green
Panicle
Fragrant
Showy
Spring
Summer
4-5 petals/rays
< 1 inch
Leaves
Greenish white showy bloom in the late spring to early summer. Seperate male and female trees. Male flowers appear in clusters 4" long while female flowers are in fragrant12" long panicles.
Deciduous
Green
Gold/Yellow
Insignificant
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Alternate
> 6 inches
Bark
Poisonous to Humans
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. The pulp between the seeds can be mistaken for the sweet, non-toxic pulp of the honey locust. Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, irregular pulse, coma.
Alkaloid cytisine
Fruits
Whole Plant Traits
Edible
Tree
Native Plant
Poisonous
Deciduous
Open
Horizontal
Oval
Irregular
Ascending
Slow
Low
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Good Drainage
24-60 feet
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
3a
3b
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Stem
Landscape
Drought Tolerant Garden
Winter Garden
Rain Garden
Native Garden
Shade Tree
Street Tree
Drought
Pollution
Lawn
Riparian
Poisonous to Humans
Weak Wood
Messy
Gymnocladus dioicus Image Gallery
Gymnocladus dioicus Attributes
Gymnocladus dioicus: Country Or Region Of Origin
South Eastern Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
Gymnocladus dioicus: Edibility
Seeds, roasted and ground, can be used as a substitute for coffee; does not have caffeine.
Gymnocladus dioicus: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Gymnocladus dioicus Fruit
Gymnocladus dioicus: Fruit Description
Female trees develop fruit; a flat black to red-brown 10" seed pod with 4-7 seeds with a sticky pulp between them. Male trees are considered desirable because of lack of pods, though they can be attractive.
Gymnocladus dioicus: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Gymnocladus dioicus: Fruit Color
Black
Brown/Copper
Red/Burgundy
Gymnocladus dioicus: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Gymnocladus dioicus: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Gymnocladus dioicus: Fruit Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
> 3 inches
Gymnocladus dioicus Flowers
Gymnocladus dioicus: Flower Description
Greenish white showy bloom in the late spring to early summer. Separate male and female trees. Male flowers appear in clusters 4" long while female flowers are in fragrant12" long panicles.
Gymnocladus dioicus: Flower Color
Green
White
Gymnocladus dioicus: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Gymnocladus dioicus: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Gymnocladus dioicus: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Gymnocladus dioicus: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Gymnocladus dioicus: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Gymnocladus dioicus Leaves
Gymnocladus dioicus: Leaf Description
Greenish white showy bloom in the late spring to early summer. Seperate male and female trees. Male flowers appear in clusters 4" long while female flowers are in fragrant12" long panicles.
Gymnocladus dioicus: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Gymnocladus dioicus: Leaf Color
Green
Gymnocladus dioicus: Deciduous Leaf Fall Color
Gold/Yellow
Insignificant
Gymnocladus dioicus: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Gymnocladus dioicus: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Gymnocladus dioicus: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Gymnocladus dioicus: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Gymnocladus dioicus Bark
Gymnocladus dioicus: Bark Description
Scaly rough brown-gray bark
Gymnocladus dioicus: Bark Color
Dark Brown
Dark Gray
Gymnocladus dioicus: Surface/Attachment
Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy
Gymnocladus dioicus Poisonous to Humans
Gymnocladus dioicus: Poison Symptoms
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. The pulp between the seeds can be mistaken for the sweet, non-toxic pulp of the honey locust. Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, irregular pulse, coma.
Gymnocladus dioicus: Poison Toxic Principle
Alkaloid cytisine
Gymnocladus dioicus: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Gymnocladus dioicus: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Gymnocladus dioicus: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Gymnocladus dioicus Whole Plant Traits
Gymnocladus dioicus: 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 dioicus: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Gymnocladus dioicus: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Gymnocladus dioicus: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Gymnocladus dioicus: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Gymnocladus dioicus: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Gymnocladus dioicus Cultural Conditions
Gymnocladus dioicus: 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 dioicus: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Gymnocladus dioicus: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Gymnocladus dioicus: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
Gymnocladus dioicus: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Gymnocladus dioicus Stem
Gymnocladus dioicus: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Gymnocladus dioicus Landscape
Gymnocladus dioicus: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Gymnocladus dioicus: 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 dioicus: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Gymnocladus dioicus: 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
Gymnocladus dioicus: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
