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Cotinus obovatus
  • Chittamwood

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Cotinus genus in the family Anacardiaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cotinus obovatus has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Skin contact with this plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[1]. Though related to several poisonous species, this species is definitely not poisonous[2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Cotinus obovatus.

Material uses

An orange or yellow dye is obtained from the wood[3][4][5][6]. This was extensvely used in America at the time of the Civil War, but is little used commercially at present[7]. Wood - light, soft, rather coarse grained, very durable in the soil[5][8][9]. It weighs about 40lb per cubic foot[10]. Trees are too small and rare for commercial exploitation, but the wood is used locally for fence posts[5][8][9].

Unknown part

Dye
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Cotinus obovatus.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[11][12][1]. It should germinate in the spring. Slightly immature or 'green' seed, harvested when it has fully developed but before it dries on the plant, gives the best results[12]. Warm stratify stored seed for 2 - 3 months at 15°c, then cold stratify for 2 - 3 months[13]. Germination can be very slow, often taking 12 months or more at 15°c[13]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed has a long viability and should store for several years[12].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[12].

Trench layering in spring[1].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cotinus obovatus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Tolerates most soils[14]. Prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position[1], doing better in a soil that is not very rich[15]. Tolerates light shade[16].

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[14], though die-back often occurs at the tips of shoots during the winter[14]. Plants are slow to establish but are then quite fast growing when young though they slow down with age[14]. Plants respond well to coppicing[9]. Hybridizes with C. coggygria[17]. A very ornamental plant[18]. The young leaves have an aromatic fragrance when bruised[19]. This species is in danger of extinction in the wild due to its being cut down for use in making a dye, this occurred especially during the N. American civil war[Notes on a board at Kew]. Plants flower on wood that is at least 3 years old[14]. Any pruning is best done in the spring[14]. Seed production is normally poor because many of the flower clusters are sterile[9].

Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cotinus obovatus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cotinus obovatus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cotinus obovatus
Genus
Cotinus
Family
Anacardiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Botanic
[15][20][1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    moderate
    Mature Size
    10 x 8 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

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    "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
    7. ? 7.07.1 Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-78958-3 (1987-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. ISBN 0-486-22642-5 (1970-00-00)
    11. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.3 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.5 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    16. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    17. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    18. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    19. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    20. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    "image:Cotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Cotinus_obovatus&oldid=76538"
    Facts about "Cotinus obovatus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAnacardiaceae +
    Belongs to genusCotinus +
    Has binomial nameCotinus obovatus +
    Has common nameChittamwood +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageCotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye + and Wood +
    Has mature height10 +
    Has mature width8 +
    Has primary imageCotinus-obovatus-foliage.JPG +
    Has search namecotinus obovatus + and chittamwood +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameCotinus obovatus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Cotinus obovatus + and Cotinus obovatus +