# Smoke Bush (*Cotinus coggygria Scop.*)

Smoke Bush is a unique shrub that has fluffy, smoke-like flowers. It adds a magical touch to gardens!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Sunny gardens
- **Also known as:** Cotinus

![Smoke Bush](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425715/objects/5075.jpg)

## Appearance

The Smoke Bush has distinctive airy, feathery plumes of tiny flowers that create a hazy, smoke-like appearance, often in shades of pink, purple, or creamy white. Its oval leaves can be vibrant green or deep maroon, turning brilliant orange-red in autumn.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** TRACHEOPHYTA
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** SAPINDALES
- **Family:** ANACARDIACEAE
- **Genus:** Cotinus

## Interesting facts

- It's a cousin to poison ivy, but usually much friendlier!
- Its 'smoke' is actually feathery hairs on old flower clusters!
- Some varieties boast leaves so dark they appear almost black!
- The unique wood inside can be used to make yellow dye!

## Special abilities

- **Smoky Plume Illusion:** Smoke Bush grows fuzzy flower stalks that look like puffs of smoke to attract insects and help spread its tiny seeds!
- **Autumn Leaf Fireworks:** Smoke Bush can change its green or purple leaves into fiery shades of orange, red, and scarlet as autumn arrives!
- **Drought Defender:** Smoke Bush has tough roots and leaves that help it survive in dry, sunny places where other plants struggle.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 300-700 cm
- **Spread:** 300-700 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Mid-Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Important pollinator for its tiny flowers.
- **Eats:** Common Rosefinch (*Carpodacus erythrinus*) — Consumes its small, dry fruit-like seeds.
- **Shelter:** European Hamster (*Cricetus cricetus*) — Provides cover from predators and weather.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

## Collections

- [Grasses](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses)
- [Grasses, Shrubs & Bushes](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses-shrubs-and-bushes)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Smoke Bush?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Smoke Bush?

300-700 cm

### How wide does Smoke Bush spread?

300-700 cm

### How big are the flowers on Smoke Bush?

0.3-0.5 cm

### When does Smoke Bush bloom?

Late Spring to Mid-Summer

### Is Smoke Bush edible?

No

### Is Smoke Bush toxic?

Mild

### What is Smoke Bush's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Smoke Bush: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/smoke-bush)