Definition

Noun: 1. A shrub with a distinctive appearance: A "smoke bush" is a type of shrub known for its unique, feathery flower clusters. These clusters are often so large and hazy that they resemble a cloud of smoke surrounding the plant. 2. A member of specific genera: The term can refer to shrubs from two different botanical groups, both valued for their ornamental, smoke-like plumes.

Detailed Meanings

1. Primary Ornamental Meaning: Most commonly, "smoke bush" refers to shrubs from the genus , such as . These are cultivated for their showy, billowy panicles of tiny flowers and sometimes for their colorful foliage.
2. Botanical Meaning: It can also refer to shrubs from the Australian genus , which produce panicles of woolly, often white flowers that create a similar smoky effect.

Examples

• The smoke bush at the corner of the garden turns a brilliant red in autumn.
• We planted a purple-leaved smoke bush for its dramatic summer blossoms.
• Some Australian smoke bush species have flowers that look like puffs of white smoke.

Advanced Usage

• "In full smoke": Describing the plant when its characteristic plumes are fully developed and most visible.
  • The garden is spectacular in July when the smoke bush is in full smoke.

Variants and Related Words

• Smoke tree: Often used interchangeably with "smoke bush," though it may imply a larger, tree-like growth habit, particularly for species.
• Cotinus: The botanical genus name for the most common ornamental smoke bushes.
• Conospermum: The botanical genus name for the Australian smoke bushes.

Synonyms

• Venetian sumac (A common name for ).
• Chittamwood (A regional name for some species).

Noun

1. any of various shrubs of the genus Conospermum with panicles of mostly white woolly flowers
2. any of several shrubs or shrubby trees of the genus Cotinus