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

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)

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

In soft murky mystery a flame-tinted smoke tree loomed up here and there like a faintly rouged ghost.

From The White Linen Nurse by Abbott, Eleanor Hallowell

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

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