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Cotinus americanus

Cotinus americanus

9.9
A small tree or large shrub from the southern United States with feathery flowers that look like smoke
  • noun
  • /koʊˈtiːnəs əˈmɛrɪkənəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cotinus americanus
  • Many gardeners appreciate the Cotinus americanus for its large, feathery, smoke-like flower plumes.

Examples

  • The Cotinus americanus is often referred to as the American smoke tree.

  • The Cotinus americanus is often planted for its decorative, smoky-looking flowers in southern gardens.

  • Many gardeners appreciate Cotinus americanus for its autumn foliage colors as well as its unique blossoms.

  • Wildlife is attracted to the Cotinus americanus when it is in full bloom.

  • I planted a Cotinus americanus in my garden last spring.

  • The Cotinus americanus tree adds beauty to southern gardens with its unique, decorative flowers.

  • Wildlife is attracted to the Cotinus americanus when its smoke-like blossoms are in full bloom.

Synonyms

Cotinus obovatus
vsCotinus americanus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small, bushy tree with large feathery flower clusters that look like puffs of smoke

is the same plant but uses a different scientific label
American smokewood
vsCotinus americanus
  • Specialized
9.0

A bushy tree in the southern United States with feathery flowers that look like puffs of smoke

refers to the same species under its formal scientific designation
smoke bush
vsCotinus americanus
7.6

A shrub or small tree with feathery flowers that look like puffs of smoke

refers to a particular southern species with larger feathery plumes
smoke tree
vsCotinus americanus
7.5

A small tree or shrub with feathery flowers that look like smoke

represents the specific southern species known for larger smoke-like plumes

Surface Forms

Morphology

Cotinus + americanus

This is a scientific binomial composed of the genus name 'Cotinus' (a shrub) plus the Latin adjective 'americanus' meaning 'American' or 'from America', so the overall meaning ('American smoke tree' / the American species of Cotinus) is directly derivable from its parts. Binomial taxonomic patterns are compositional and cross-linguistically recognizable, so a learner who knows the constituent meanings would understand this term.

Etymology

Cotinus americanus gets its name from the tree's fluffy, smoky-looking flower clusters that can look like a cloud of smoke; Cotinus points to that 'smoke tree' image and americanus means 'from America'.