Cotinus americanus, commonly known as American smoketree, is a small deciduous tree that produces a smoky haze when its seedpods burst open in the late summer or fall. This tree is also known as chittamwood, scarlet sumac, and American dwarf mistletoe. It belongs to the same family as sumac and cashews.
The unique appearance of this tree and its vibrant fall foliage make it a popular choice for landscaping purposes. Its wood is used for small crafts and its leaves have been used for medicinal purposes in traditional Native American medicine.
Synonyms for cotinus americanus include: Rhus cotinoides, smoke tree, smoke bush, American red gum, scarlet cypress, and wild tobacco.