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American Smoketree

Cotinus obovatus

Other common name(s):

Texas Smoke Tree, Wild Smoke Tree, Smoke Tree, Smokebush, Chittamwood

Family:

Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Edwards Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

15
to
25
ft.

Spread

15
to
25
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, Yellow, Purple

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Forage, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Birds

Maintenance

This is an excellent small, ornamental tree that thrives in tough conditions and neglect and makes an excellent small yard tree. Does well in full sun, in medium to dry, well drained soils. Rich soil and too much water may create a weak plant. It is drought tolerant once established. Prune for shape or to raise canopy near walkways. Propagation: Root cuttings, Seeds, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms April-May. Smoketree gets its common name from the billowy hairs attached to elongated stalks on the spent flower clusters. These hairs turn a smoky-pink to purplish-pink in summer, covering the tree with fluffy, hazy, smoke-like puffs. Berries occur on pinkish stems and then dry to small dark seeds. Spring leaves are silky pink, turning bluish-to-dark green. Fall leaves turn vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow and purple. It likes rocky north- or east-facing slopes or on the protected side of Ashe Junipers. In Texas, found in the Balcones Canyonlands region of the Edwards Plateau. Browsed by wildlife and provides nest materials.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Cotinus americanus

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 286, 287. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COOB2. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=849&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt., 6) https://www.gardenia.net/plant/cotinus-obovatus, 7) https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/a-colorful-north-american-native-american-smoketree/

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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