Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 3190522

Smokebush

Cotinus coggygria

Also known as European Smoketree, Smoke Tree, Venetian Sumac, Dyer's Sumac

Eurasian smokebush billows across dry rocky slopes and cultivated landscapes in midsummer, wrapped in cloud-like haze created by thousands of feathery, sterile flower stalks. Its rounded leaves turn vibrant shades of orange, pink, and deep purple in autumn, making it a prominent ornamental shrub. The plant secretes a pungent sap that historically supplied yellow dye for textiles and tannin for leather working.

OrnamentalDeciduousFlowering
Smokebush reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Roman, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Roman · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • Browsing Deer
  • Aphids
ThreatsHabitat loss in native range, localized fungal wilts
HabitatsRocky hillsides, dry scrublands, open woodlands, garden landscapes
Life span30–50 years
Classification
  1. OrderSapindales
  2. FamilyAnacardiaceae
  3. GenusCotinus
  4. SpeciesCotinus coggygria
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Sap from broken stems can irritate sensitive skin; wear gloves when pruning.
Why it is dangerous
The sap contains volatile terpenes and sumac-related compounds that cause allergic contact dermatitis and skin blistering in sensitive individuals.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognizable by smooth rounded leaves and prominent pinkish-purple plume-like flower stalks in summer.
What to do
Wear gloves and long sleeves when pruning freshly cut branches, and wash skin promptly if exposed to sap.
Responsible observation
  • Pruning: Cut back stems in early spring if cultivating for larger leaves and vigorous smoky plumes.
  • Observation: Look closely at the hazy blooms to see that they consist of fuzzy sterile flower stalks.
  • Autumn Color: Revisit in late autumn to observe the foliage transform into brilliant red and purple hues.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…