smoke tree

American  

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.

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smoke tree British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of smoke tree

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

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

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen

The auburn splendors are upon the sumac and the burning-bush of old-fashioned dooryards, where, too, the smoke tree holds its haze of seeds.

From Minstrel Weather by Storm, Marian

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

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen

No, Jack," she replied, "not a fire, only a smoke tree.

From Little Tales of The Desert by Villa, Hernando G.

Of a like nature are fruits of thistles, fireweed, prickly lettuce, sow thistles, scabiosa, valerian, cat-tail flag, cotton grass, some anemones, smoke tree, virgin's bower, and some of the grasses.

From Seed Dispersal by Beal, W. J. (William James)