Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    


Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Cotinus obovatus Raf.

American smoke tree, Smoke tree, Texas smoke tree, Chittamwood

Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)

Synonyms: Cotinus americanus

USDA Symbol: coob2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

American smoketree is an upright, small tree or multi-trunked shrub, growing 15-30 ft. tall. Shrub or small tree with a short trunk, open crown of spreading branches, resinous sap with a strong odor, and deep orange-yellow heartwood. Six to ten inch flower panicles develop long, red or purple, hairlike petioles that, in the crowded flower clusters, create a smoky appearance. (The flower itself is small and not showy.) Berries occur infrequently on pinkish stems; these also have a smoke-like look. Spring leaves are silky pink, becoming bluish to dark green. Fall leaves are magnificently colorful. A gnarled limb structure and the dark, flaking bark are other attributes. The masses of smokelike fruit clusters with hairy stalks of sterile flowers gives the species its common name.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Leaf Margin: Entire
Size Notes: 15-30
Leaf Color: Blue-green above, pale below.
Fruit Length: 1/8 inch long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Flowers change from yellow to pink as they age.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , GA , KY , MO , OK , TN , TX
Native Distribution: Ozark Mts. of AR & adjacent MO & OK; also KY, s. to AL & GA; TX
Native Habitat: Hillsides; limestone outcrops; rocky woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky, limestone soils. Sandy, Limestone-based, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Cotinus obovatus is ornamental in every season. The branching in florescence waves in the breeze, giving the illusion of clouds of smoke. It is drought and disease-tolerant. Once it is established it thrives on tough conditions and neglect. Rich soil and too much water may create a weak plant. It likes rocky north or east facing slopes or plant on protected side of Ashe Juniper.
Texas comments: Smoketree is ornamental in every season. The branching inflorescence waves in the breeze, giving the illusion of clouds of smoke. It is drought and disease-tolerant. Once it is established it thrives on tough conditions and neglect. Rich soil and too much water may create a weak plant. It likes rocky north or east facing slopes or plant on protected side of ashe juniper.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Fall conspicuous, Color, Rocky hillside, Fast growing
Use Wildlife: Browsed by wildlife.
Use Other: The wood was once used for making a yellow dye.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Few seeds are formed. Those sown immediately after collection may take two springs to germinate. Scarification and stratification hasten germination. Smoke-trees are also propagated from root or stem cuttings or layering. Semi-hardwood or softwood cut
Seed Collection: To collect seeds before wind dispersion, clip the entire fruiting panicle from the tree in late April. Collect enough to compensate for a high percentage of infertile seed. Air-dry before storing or planting. When dried, fuzzy panicle are easily detached.
Seed Treatment: Scarification in a 20-40 minute concentrated sulfuric acid treatment or with warm, moist stratification for 150 days. Follow with 60-80 days of stratification at 38-41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes
Please support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Cotinus obovatus (American smoketree) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Acer ginnala (Amur maple)

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Question: Mr. Smarty Plants, I am looking for a native alternative to a Japanese Red Maple. I would like a small tree that I can put in my front garden that will not pose a security risk my being overgrown and too large. We thought the Japanese Red Maple would be nice, because it is a smaller and more contained tree, but I do not want to introduce a non-native plant. PLEASE HELP!
click here to view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cotinus obovatus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cotinus obovatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cotinus obovatus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-10-31
Research By: NPC

Go back