smoke tree

noun

1. Also called American smoke tree, chittamwood. a tree, Cotinus obovatus, of the cashew family, native to the southeastern U.S., having egg-shaped leaves and large clusters of small white flowers.
2. Also called Venetian sumac. a related shrub, C. coggygria, of Eurasia, having elliptical leaves and clusters of hairy, purple flowers.

smoke tree

noun

1. an anacardiaceous shrub, Cotinus coggygria, of S Europe and Asia, having clusters of yellowish feathery flowers
2. a related tree, Cotinus americanus, of the southern US

Word History and Origins

Origin of smoke tree¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of smoke tree¹

C19: so named because of the similarity between its flower clusters and a cloud of smoke

Example Sentences

The American smoke tree (Cotinus cotinoides) is another member of the sumach family.

From Project Gutenberg

The glory of the smoke tree is the utter failure of its clustered flowers to set seed.

From Project Gutenberg

No garden with a shrubbery border is complete without a smoke tree, which is interesting and beautiful at any season.

From Project Gutenberg

The Venetian sumach or smoke-tree (R. Cotinus) is commonly planted for ornament.

From Project Gutenberg

Fustet, fus′tet, n. the smoke-tree or Venetian sumach, or its wood.

From Project Gutenberg