Soap Tree Gymnocladus chinensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jim-no-KLAD-us chy-NEN-sis
- Description
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Chinese Coffee Tree is a deciduous small tree native to China in the bean family. This tree is nearly extinct in China and has been placed on a watch list. It will grow 15 to 30 feet tall and wide with an irregular to rounded crown. The information found regarding growing this tree is variable. However many agree it is only hardy to zone 7 or 8 and needs protection from cold winds.
This slow-growing tree has huge bipinnately compound leaves that emerge purple and then turn green. In the fall they have showy bright yellow leaves. They cast a light shade so make a great tree to have under canopy plantings. Being in the legume family, it fixes nitrogen and tolerates poor soil. Plant in full sun. Flowering is best in warm summer areas. Can be used as a shade tree
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gymnocladus
- Species:
- chinensis
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The beans are boiled and used for making soap. Wood is used in cabinet making.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Edibility:
- Legumes are edible if cooked to remove the saponins
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 5.5 to 10-inch-long legumes
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pale yellow-white with a tinge of purple flowers in pendulous racemes. Dioecious so both male and female plants are needed to produce fruits.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large bipinnately compound leaves start out purple and turn green with 8-12 alternate leaflets. Both surfaces are silky pubescent. Leaflets are 8-10 inches
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Lenticels
- Bark Description:
- Gey/brown bark with conspicuous whitish lenticels
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Young stems are purple green
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Small Space
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Small Tree
- Street Tree
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Poor Soil
