(L.) K. Koch
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.151008
Element CodePDFAB1X010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNVulnerable
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFabales
FamilyFabaceae
GenusGymnocladus
SynonymsGymnocladus dioica(L.) k. Koch
Other Common NamesChicot févier (FR) Kentucky coffeetree (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-03-31
Change Date1984-05-16
Edition Date2025-03-31
Edition AuthorsNordman, C. (2025).
Threat ImpactMedium - low
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsKentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) occurs in eastern North America, in southeastern Canada and the eastern and central United States. Its native range is from southern Ontario and western New York and western Pennsylvania west to southern Minnesota, and south to southwestern Virginia, Tennessee, northern Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It occurs as a native tree in bottomland and riparian forests, forests on slopes, mesic upland forests and woodlands. It is cultivated and spreads somewhat from horticultural plantings, within and beyond its native range. There are estimated to be more than 1000 occurrences rangewide. Threats include the loss of habitat with residential development and urbanization, competition with invasive exotic plants, and browsing by white-tailed deer and feral hogs. Trends are not well documented, while there has been loss of habitat, it can establish in old fields and successional forests.
Range Extent CommentsKentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) occurs in eastern North America, in southeastern Canada and the eastern and central United States. Its native range is from southern Ontario and western New York and western Pennsylvania west to southern Minnesota, and south to southwestern Virginia, Tennessee, northern Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It is cultivated and is "persistent and weakly spreading from horticultural plantings," within and beyond its native range (Weakley and Southeastern Flora Team 2024), "but the exact limits of native and introduced distributions are unclear in some areas" (FNA 2023). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observation data, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (FNA 2023, RARECAT 2024, Weakley and Southeastern Flora Team 2024, GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBased on herbarium records, photo-based observation data, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, and anecdotal evidence, there are more than 1000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2024, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsThreats to Kentucky Coffeetree include the loss of habitat with residential development and urbanization, competition with invasive exotic plants, and browsing by white-tailed deer and feral hogs (McWilliams et al. 2018).