Intriguing Beauty: Exploring the Mystique of Fragrant Hills' Smoke Tree in Its Flower Season - Cotinus coggygria var. pubescens

In the early morning of late April in Beijing, as I pushed open the window in the morning, a delicate fragrance greeted me, leading my gaze to the blossoming of the Cotinus coggygria var. pubescens in the courtyard. Often mistaken for the famed "Maple Leaf Red" scenery of Beijing's Fragrant Hills, the true essence lies in the blooms of the Smoke Tree. Its recent flowering, reminiscent of ethereal wisps, adds a captivating allure to the landscape. Come autumn, its oval leaves transform into a striking crimson hue, enhancing its allure. Today, let's delve into the enchanting world of this remarkable plant.

The flowers of the Smoke Tree are exquisitely vibrant, adorned with feathery hairs densely covering the entire cone-shaped inflorescence, shimmering with a golden sheen under the sunlight. From afar, they resemble a billowing cloud of smoke, evoking a sense of tranquility. It's no wonder the Smoke Tree is also known as the "Smoke Bush".

Beyond its beautiful blooms, the foliage of the Smoke Tree exudes elegance. With broad oval shapes and smooth edges, the deep green leaves complement the golden flowers perfectly. Adjacent to the flower clusters, kidney-shaped small drupes add a touch of whimsy to this picturesque scene.


The leaves of this plant are broadly elliptic to nearly round, densely covered with soft hairs on the back and along the veins and petioles, distinguishing it from its close counterparts.

In China, this species is found in the mountainous forests of Guizhou, Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, at elevations ranging from 800 to 1500 meters.

The Smoke Tree not only holds high ornamental value but also boasts versatile applications. Its wood is medicinal, and the fruits are used for extracting wood wax. In ancient times, it served as a significant dye plant, producing a prestigious shade of yellow.

In the words of the renowned Chinese literary figure, Lao She, "Autumn in Beijing is like paradise on earth," and the crimson foliage of Fragrant Hills adds a vibrant splash of color to this paradise. The "red leaves of Fragrant Hills" he described so vividly are none other than the Smoke Tree. Every autumn, Fragrant Hills adorned with the fiery red of the Smoke Tree attracts countless visitors, creating a spectacle of natural beauty.


Truly, the world of plants is wondrous.


Author: Linda Wong

Editor:  Richard


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