European smoketree
Cotinus coggygria Scop.
The smoke around a smoketree is a structure worth looking through. Its true flowers are tiny; the airy effect comes chiefly from hairs on the stalks that support flowers and later small, dry fruits. As those branching structures expand, they make a loose cloud around the canopy. A single plant can develop as a small tree or as a broad, many-stemmed shrub. Morton Arboretum: Eurasian smoke tree
Botanical name
Kew accepts Cotinus coggygria Scop. in Anacardiaceae. Kew POWO: Cotinus coggygria
Recognizing the plant
The leaves are simple and alternate, with smooth margins and an oval to somewhat spoon-shaped outline. Ordinary species foliage is green to bluish green; persistent purple or golden foliage belongs to particular selections. Young bark is relatively smooth and pale gray, becoming flakier with age. Plants commonly reach about ten to fifteen feet in both height and spread, giving the plume-like clusters plenty of space. Morton Arboretum: Eurasian smoke tree
Seasonal development
Chicago region, Illinois, United States
In the Chicago-region account, its ornamental season extends through summer into autumn, when the deciduous foliage develops reddish-purple tones. Morton Arboretum: Eurasian smoke tree
Native range
Kew’s native range extends from south-central Europe across western and central Asia to central and southern China. European smoketree is consequently only part of its geographic story. Kew POWO: Cotinus coggygria
Botanical sources
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.