Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) Koch
Kentucky Coffee Tree
The Kentucky Coffee Tree is a large deciduous tree native to the eastern United States and southern Ontario, Canada. It grows up to 21 meters tall with a spread of 15 meters and a trunk diameter of up to one meter. The tree has dioecious flowers, meaning male and female flowers are on separate plants. It is known for its hard-shelled beans contained in woody pods, which were traditionally used as a coffee substitute by Native Americans and early settlers.
Details
Fabales
Fabaceae
Gymnocladus
The seeds of the Kentucky Coffee Tree contain a toxic alkaloid called cytisine, which makes unroasted or partially roasted beans poisonous. The plant is also known for its nitrogen-fixing roots, which enrich the soil.
The roasted seeds of the Kentucky Coffee Tree can be used as a coffee substitute. The tree's wood is valued by cabinetmakers and carpenters for its durability and fine polish. It is also planted as an ornamental tree in gardens, parks, and along city streets due to its unique appearance and tolerance to various soil conditions.
June
Spring, early summer
18 to 21 meters (60–70 feet)
Greenish white
The Kentucky Coffee Tree prefers rich, moist soils in floodplains, terraces, ravines, coves, and lower slopes. It is tolerant of poor soils, drought, and urban environments.
Info
Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.
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