American Smoketree
Arbor Walk #166, Treekeeper ID #6601
The American Smoketree is a Missouri native tree with fabulous color in the spring and summer, thanks to its smoke-like purple-haired inflorescences. Although limited in range by its preference for dry, chalky soils in the Southern Ozarks and scattered populations elsewhere, the American Smoketree is able to be grown in a variety of conditions. The Eurasian native Smoketree (also known as European Smoketree) is also cultivated; it can be distinguished easily, as its leaves are much more circular than those of the American Smoketree.
| Common Name(s) | American Smoketree |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Cotinus obovatus |
| Indigenous Name(s) | |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
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Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
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Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
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Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
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Leaf Identification
The leaves of the American Smoketree are simple (no leaflets), alternately arranged on the stem, pinnately veined, and unlobed. The leaves are up to 6″ in length, shaped broadly elliptic or slightly obovate, with a blunt, semi-circular tip. The leaves can turn a variety of fall colors, but are blue-green and glaucous in the spring and summer.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twig of the American Smoketree is brown, with pale lenticels (pores). When mature, the twig develops tiny interlacing furrows lengthwise along the twig. The axillary buds are inconspicuous, but the terminal buds are dark brown, hard, pointed, and bivalvate-scaled.
Bark Identification
The bark of the American Smoketree is brown and covered with pale notch-like lenticels when young. As it matures, the bark becomes plated and flaky.
Fruit Identification
The fruit of the American Smoketree is a dry drupe, 1/4″ in length and curled, like a kidney bean. The fruit is green, maturing to light brown in early fall.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the American Smoketree are small, five-petaled, and yellow-green. They are mounted sparsely on panicles which cover much of the tree when flowering. After the flowers fade, the panicles grow and become prominent with long pink-purple hairs along their length.
Smoketree ID Tips
- The American Smoketree is one of three Cotinus species in North America; however, the other two are shrubby and only endemic to Northeastern Mexico. The American Smoketree is the only Cotinus species in the United States, and the only Cotinus tree in North America.
- The European Smoketree may be confused for the American Smoketree in cultivation. The American Smoketree can be distinguished by its longer, elliptic or obovate leaves, whereas the European Smoketree has nearly circular leaves that are half as long as the American Smoketree leaves.
