The European Smoketree (Cotinus coggygria) is a flowering deciduous shrub in the Anacardiaceae family. It is also known as the Venetian Sumach.
It is native to Europe, central Asia, and northern China.
It grows to 5-7 metres (16-23 feet) tall.
Its leaves are 3-8 centimetres (1-3 inches) long, with a rounded shape and a waxy sheen. In autumn, the leaves are peach, yellow, or scarlet coloured.
The yellowish-pink to pinkish-purple flowers are large inflorescences 15-30 centimetres (6-12 inches) long with five pale-yellow petals. The flowers are feathery and, from a distance, look like smoke.
The European Smoketree has drupaceous fruit
Photographed in the Botanical Garden, Paris, October 2019.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
MARTINA NICOLLS