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American Smoke Tree

Cotinus obovatus

Found in glades, exposed bluffs, and dry upland woodlands over calcareous soils and rock outcrops. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

26
Good

Native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 100%

Height
20–30 feet
Spread
20 feet–30 feet 11 inches
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Dry to somewhat dry

Space about 25.5 ft apart from its recorded spread. Enter your bed size for a count

Will it fit your yard?

Rare or protected plant. Specialist conservation planting; excluded from routine garden suggestions. Plant caution source

Hidden from default planting suggestions. Wildlife value and native status remain unchanged.

At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
April to May

Recorded in 9 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Glades, barrens and outcrops on limestone

Cedar Glade Number 5, Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP, Catoosa County
Limestone cedar glade. Shown: Cedar Glade Number 5, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Catoosa County, Georgia, a neighboring state.Cedar Glade Number 5, Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP, Catoosa County, Alan M. Cressler / U.S. Geological Survey, undated. Public domain. Source record.

Forests and woodlands

Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Named place / source context. Shown: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Georgia, a neighboring state.Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain., Unidentified in HFC record, undated. Public domain. Source record.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Alabama. Shared habitat, not food. 108 animals.

All wildlife of Alabama

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

6CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Cotinus

  • Citheronia regalisRoyal Walnut Moth, Hickory Horned Devil
  • Datana perspicuaSpotted Dantana
  • Episimus argutanaSumac Leaftier
  • Hyalophora cecropiaCecropia Silkmoth, Cecropia Moth
  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Anacardiaceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–8b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Yellow or green
Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Alabama rankS2
Global rankNot available
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source

In your garden

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How to check your spot

Sources