1. Gymnocladus diocius (L.) K. Koch

2. Classification  Kingdom Plantae – PlantsPlantae  Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plantsTracheobionta  Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plantsSpermatophyta  Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plantsMagnoliophyta  Class Magnoliopsida – DicotyledonsMagnoliopsida  Subclass RosidaeRosidae  Order FabalesFabales  Family Fabaceae – Pea familyFabaceae  Genus Gymnocladus Lam. – coffeetreeGymnocladus Lam.  Species Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch – Kentucky coffeetreeGymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch

3. Shape, Form, and Type  The Kentucky coffeetree is a broadleaf deciduous tree and grows up to 70 ft. with a width of 50 ft. It is fast-growing when young and then becomes moderate to slow- growing as it ages. The shape is oval and irregular. The trunks may be 10 to 12 ft tall and has a high irregular crown. Figure 1

4. Bark  The bark is gray or brown and deeply furrowed. Figure 2

5. Twig  The Kentucky Coffeetree has stout, branchless twigs and have huge leaf scars with one or two small lateral buds that are barely visible just above the leaf scars. A terminal bud is absent from the ends of its twigs. Figure 3

6. Leaf  The leaf is alternate on stem and is 12 to 36 in long. It’s bipinnately compound with 40 to 60 smooth- margined, abruptly pointed leaflets.. Figure 4

7. Bud  A terminal is absent in the bud. Laterals are small, pubescent and sunken into the twig. Figure 5

8. Flower  The floral petals are small. The male flower is thicker than the female one. The female flowers occur on female trees and may be up to a foot in length, while the male flowers on male trees are often shorter but found in greater abundance. Figure 6

9. Fruit  The fruit is a reddish brown to dark brown leathery pod. Figure 7

10. Habitat and Range Northeastern and central U.S. It lives in deep, moist alkaline soil. Figure 8

11. Uses  Woodworkers sometimes use the heavy, strong wood in cabinetwork, for fence posts, and in construction. Also, people frequently plant the tree as an ornamental.

12. References  Retrieved 6/24/10. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol =GYDI http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol