yellowwood Fabaceae Cladrastis kentukea

Leaf:Alternate, pinnately compound, but individual leaflets sub-opposite, 5 to 9 leaflets (usually 7), entire margins, 8 to 12" long, each leaflet obovate to oblong-obovate, green upper surface, paler below. Petiole swollen at base and enclosing the bud.
Flower:Perfect, pea-like, creamy to white, somewhat fragrant, borne in 8 to 14" long hanging cluster, appearing in late spring to early summer.
Fruit:Flat brown pod, 2 to 4 inches long, 1/2 inch wide, containing small, brown, hard-coated seeds, ripening in early fall, persistent.
Twig:Moderately stout, smooth, shiny, red-brown with numerous lighter lenticels, zig-zag, leaf scar nearly encircling the bud; bud is a broad cone, with fuzzy brown hairs.
Bark:Very smooth, often wrinkled, thin, gray.
Form:Medium sized tree, reaching 50 feet in height, wide spreading crown, typically low branching.

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