Common Name: Smoke Tree

General Information

Cotinus coggygria is a deciduous shrub or small tree usually growing up to 5 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials, being especially valued as a dye plant and source of tannins for local use. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for the attractive purple leaves of some cultivars[].
Cotinus coggygria has a large range and the population seems stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

Skin contact with this plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[]. Though related to several poisonous species, this species is definitely not poisonous[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

S. Europe - France to Italy and east through southern Russia, the Crimea, Turkey and Syria to southern China and the Himalayas

Habitat

Dry hillsides, rocky places and open woods, usually on limestone, at elevations up to 1,600 metres[, , , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to about -20°c[], though die-back often occurs at the tips of shoots during the winter[].
Tolerates most soils[]. Prefers a well-drained dry or moist soil in a sunny position[, ], doing better in a soil that is not very rich[, ]. Prefers a fertile but not over-rich soil[]. Tolerates light shade[]. Established plants are drought tolerant.
Plants are slow to establish but are then quite fast growing when young though they slow down with age[].
This species hybridizes with Cotinus obovatus[].
A number of cultivars have been developed for their ornamental value[, ]. The purple-leafed cultivars are susceptible to mildew[].
Plants flower on wood that is at least 3 years old[]. Any pruning is best done in the spring[]. Branches sometimes wilt, especially after hard pruning, and these should be removed[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[, ].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Leaves[, ]. They are possibly edible[, ]. Some caution is advised. A volatile oil in the leaves contains pinene and camphene[]. One report suggests that the essential oil contained in the flowers and leaves has a mango-like odour[]. We have tried these leaves and really would not recommend them to anyone[].

Medicinal

The yellow wood is used as a cholagogue, febrifuge and for treating eye ailments[].

Thje plant is often used in traditional medicine, where it is seen as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and an antihaemorragic agent for use in wound-healing[]
The plant has been used to prepare a herbal tea, used in the treatment of diarrhoea, mouth inflammation and gastric and duodenal ulcers[].
Extracts of the plant have been shown to have high phenolic content and antioxidant properties[].
Various part plants are rich in tannins and are effective astringents[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has been grown to provide cover in windbreaks[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and flowers[]. It has a mango-like smell[]. Is it edible[]?

A yellow to orange dye is obtained from the root and stem[, , , , , ]. It is somewhat fugitive though[]. The plant is traditionally used to dye carpets and woven matting in the eastern Mediterranean region[],

The leaves, fruits and bark are a good source of tannins[, , , ]. The leaves can contain from 3 - 29% tannins[].

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

The twigs are used in basketry[].

An ornamental wood, but only available in small dimensions. It is used for cabinet making, picture frames etc[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[, , ]. It should germinate in the spring. Slightly immature or 'green' seed, harvested when it has fully developed but before it dries on the plant, gives the best results[]. Warm stratify stored seed for 2 - 3 months at 15°c, then cold stratify for 2 - 3 months[]. Germination can be very slow, often taking 12 months or more at 15°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed has a long viability and should store for several years[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Trench layering in spring[].