reviving the Obscure
American Smoketree A CONSERVATION SUCCESS STORY By Matt Candeias, Ph.D., Curator of Living Collections
In the verdant landscapes of gardens and natural settings, the smoketree often remains an enigmatic presence, overshadowed by its exotic Eurasian counterpart. However, a little-known treasure, the American smoketree (Cotinus obovatus), is making a triumphant comeback, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Huntsville Botanical Garden’s Plant Science and Conservation team. While the Eurasian smoketree (C. coggygria) and its cultivars have thrived for decades in horticultural circles, the native American smoketree has faded into relative obscurity. Yet, as we delve into its intriguing history and remarkable attributes, we discover that the American smoketree has a story worth telling and preserving.
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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1