American Smoke Tree, Smoketree, Chittamwood
Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Sapindales > Anacardiaceae > Cotinus > Cotinus obovatus · Anacardiaceae (Cashew or Sumac family) · Simple, Deciduous
Species
Cotinus obovatus
Leaf Type
Simple, Deciduous
Family
Anacardiaceae (Cashew or Sumac family)
Shape
Obovate (egg-shaped with the broader end at the tip) to broadly elliptic or rounded
Size
Approximately 2 to 5 inches long and 1.5 to 3 inches wide, matching typical mature size range.
Margin
Entire (completely smooth and untoothed)
Arrangement
Alternate, with prominent elongated petioles
Rarity
Uncommon in the wild due to localized native distribution, but widely planted as a landscape specimen.
Color & Pattern
Medium-to-dark green upper surface with light yellowish-green primary veins, lighter pale green lower surface. Features vivid, multi-colored autumn transformation into rich orange, red, and purple hues. Some leaves show dark brown marginal necrosis.
Venation Pattern
Pinnate and prominently reticulate, featuring noticeable pale secondary veins that fork near the leaf margins.
Texture & Surface
Smooth (glabrous) above, slightly puberulent to smooth beneath; thin, papery to slightly leathery feel.
Description
A small native deciduous tree or large shrub reaching 15-30 feet tall. Renowned for its dramatic, billowing smoke-like panicles of pinkish-purple feathery hairs formed by sterile flower stalks in summer, as well as exceptionally intense scarlet and gold fall color. Bark is gray-brown, developing thin scale-like plates.
Key Features
Smooth, entire obovate leaves with prominent light green veins; distinct smoky flower panicles; alternate leaf arrangement with long slender petioles; aromatic resinous sap when crushed.
Habitat
Thrives in dry, rocky, limestone hillsides, glades, bluffs, and open woods. Prefers well-drained alkaline soils and full sun.
Geographic Range
Native to the south-central United States, primarily localized in the Ozarks, Ouachitas, and Edwards Plateau of Texas, with scattered populations in Alabama and Tennessee.
Condition Notes
Good overall health with vibrant green pigmentation and visible vein network. Minor leaf tip burn and marginal browning (necrosis) present on leaf edges, alongside adjacent dead dried foliage.
Interesting Facts
The wood contains a yellow-orange pigment historically extracted to produce commercial dye. Its common name 'smoketree' comes from the billowy, smoky clouds created by persistent hairs on sterile flower stalks.
Medicinal & Uses
Historically used to extract yellow dye for textiles. Popularly cultivated in horticulture as an ornamental specimen tree for exceptional fall foliage and summer floral display.
Ecological Role
Provides shelter and food for insects and birds. Adapted to poor, dry soils, helping stabilize fragile rocky slopes and glade habitats.
Similar Species
Eurasian Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria) which usually has smaller leaves and red/purple foliage cultivars, and various Sumacs (Rhus species), which typically possess pinnately compound leaves rather than simple ones.
Foraging Tips
Look for small trees on limestone bluffs in late spring to early summer when the distinctive fuzzy smoke-like clusters appear, or in autumn when leaves turn brilliant red-orange.
Toxicity Warning
Mildly Toxic. As a member of the Anacardiaceae family, the sap contains urushiol-like resins that can cause mild skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Non-edible.