Gymnocladus dioicusIndiana Native
Kentucky Coffeetree

Gymnocladus dioicus - Overall Habit
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
White (Late spring; dioecious; male flowers in 4" clusters; female flowers, fragrant, in 12" long panicles)
 Foliage Notes:
Green (Late to leaf out in the spring; blue-green bipinnately-compound leaves in the summer); Yellow (Variable fall color)
 Stem Notes:
Multi-colored (very stout, gray, brown or slightly greenish, glabrous)
 Fruit Notes:
Brown (Dioecious, so the large pods only occur on females; can cause significant litter)
 Ultimate Height:
60-75 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
40-50 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Widely adapted to soils, but less tolerant of heavy clays
 Range:
Central and eastern United States to Ontario and Quebec, Canada
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are alternate, bipinnately compound, and large to 3' long and 2' wide. Leaflets entire. Prominent, large V-shaped or heart-shaped leaf scars. Salmon colored inner bark. Fruit pods (when present) are 5-10" long by 2" wide, reddish-brown, leathery, and persist all winter. Bark is scaly, ridged, and roughened.
 Ecological Functions:
  Special Characteristics:
  • Drought Tolerant 280
  • Pollution Tolerant 217
  • Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 186
  • Fragrant Flowers 181
  • Indiana Native 162
  • Park Tree 39
  • Shade Tree 176
  • Specimen 612
  • Poisonous/Toxic 43
  • Slow Growth Rate 266
  • Winter Interest 103

    • Additional Information

    Gymnocladus dioicus is a large deciduous tree with strong winter character from the branches and bark. Drops pods (female trees) and twigs, frequently causing litter problem, thus eliminating the straight species as a good street tree. Seeds were once used by US settlers as a coffee substitute, however pulp and seeds are toxic when not properly and completely roasted.

    46 Gymnocladus dioicus found

    Building Map...

    Other plants like this Gymnocladus dioicus (Kentucky Coffeetree)

    Communication

    University Resources

    Sustainability Resources

    Arboretum Resources

    Purdue University Logo Purdue University Logo

    The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

    Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
    © 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Integrity Statement | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by the Purdue Arboretum
    Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us