Cotinus obovatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cotinus obovatus |
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| Habit of C. obovatus at Aarhus Botanical Gardens | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cotinus
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| Species: |
obovatus
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| Natural range of Cotinus obovatus | |
Cotinus obovatus syn. C. americanus, the American smoketree, chittamwood or American smokewood, is a rare species of flowering plant in the genus Cotinus of the family Anacardiaceae, native to Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama and Tennessee. It is a deciduous, conical shrub growing to 10 m (33 ft) tall by 8 m (26 ft) broad, with oval leaves up to 12 cm (5 in) long. It produces panicles of pink-grey flowers in summer, and its foliage turns a brilliant scarlet in autumn; considered by many to be the most intense fall color of any tree. The smokey effect derives from the clusters of hairs on the spent flower stalks. It is highly sought after and cultivated in botanical gardens world wide.
The Latin specific epithet obovatus means "in the shape of an inverted egg", and refers to the broadly oval shape of the leaves. The heartwood is a bright yellow. The species may be facing extinction in the wild.
Images for kids
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Cotinus obovatus leaves
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American smoketree
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American smoketree in Autumn
See also
In Spanish: Cotinus obovatus para niños
