Shrub 3-4 m tall. Leaves elliptic to roundish, 3-9 cm long. Flower clusters open and wispy, producing a smoky appearance; late spring to early summer.
PURPUREUS GROUP A group name for plants with green or purple leaves but the flower clusters purple-haired. Some of this variation is probably due to plants grown from seed. Syn. 'Purpureus', f. purpureus (Dupuy-Jamin) Rehder.
RUBRIFOLIUS GROUP A range of clones with reddish leaves, at least at first. C. obovatus Raf., American Smokebush (Chittamwood), from SE USA is a larger plant in most features but with less attractive flower and fruit clusters.
Asia to S Europe.
Source: (2002). Anacardiaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'
Leaves dark purple with a very thin red edge when held up to the light. Raised by Messrs Kromhout of Boskoop, Holland.