#90
Accession Number: 0090-0000
Common Name: Kentucky Coffeetree
Latin Name: Gymnocladus dioicus
Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family)
Native Range: Central and eastern United States, Ontario and Quebec, Canada
Height: 60–80 feet
Spread: 40–55 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Greenish-white
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3
Light Preference: Full sun
Water Needs: Medium
Notes: Works well as a shade tree or in a rain garden; fruit is showy; tolerates drought, air pollution
Description: Kentucky Coffeetree is a tall deciduous tree with large compound leaves and scaly gray bark. Showy cluster of greenish-white flowers bloom late spring on male and female trees, the femle trees producing flat, mahogany colored bean-like pods that ripen in October and remain into the winter months. Leaves turn an unremarkable yellow in autumn. Although raw seeds are very toxic, early American settlers and Native Americana—particularly in the Kentucky territory—roasted and ground the seeds to brew a coffee-like beverage, giving rise to the common name. Raw seeds are poisonous, do not eat!
