Juniper

For other uses, see Juniper (disambiguation).

Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus
/dunprs/* [1] of the cypress family Cupressaceae.
Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, between 50 and 67
species of juniper are widely distributed throughout the
Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical
Africa in the Old World, and to the mountains of Central
America.

Description

For more details on this topic, see Juniper berry.

Junipers vary in size and shape from tall trees, 2040

Detail of Juniperus chinensis shoots, with juvenile (needle-like)

leaves (left), and adult scale leaves and immature male cones
(right)

found on shaded shoots, with adult foliage in full sunlight.

Leaves on fast-growing 'whip' shoots are often intermediate between juvenile and adult.

Cones and leaves of Juniperus communis

m (66131 ft) tall, to columnar or low spreading shrubs

with long trailing branches. They are evergreen with
needle-like and/or scale-like leaves. They can be either
monoecious or dioecious. The female seed cones are very
distinctive, with eshy, fruit-like coalescing scales which
fuse together to form aberry"-like structure, 427 mm
(0.161.06 in) long, with 112 unwinged, hard-shelled
seeds. In some species these berriesare red-brown
or orange but in most they are blue; they are often aromatic and can be used as a spice. The seed maturation
time varies between species from 618 months after pollination. The male cones are similar to those of other
Cupressaceae, with 620 scales; most shed their pollen
in early spring, but some species pollinate in the autumn.

In some species (e. g. J. communis, J. squamata), all the

foliage is of the juvenile needle-like type, with no scale
leaves. In some of these (e.g. J. communis), the needles
are jointed at the base, in others (e.g. J. squamata), the
needles merge smoothly with the stem, not jointed.
The needle-leaves of junipers are hard and sharp, making
the juvenile foliage very prickly to handle. This can be a
valuable identication feature in seedlings, as the otherwise very similar juvenile foliage of cypresses (Cupressus,
Chamaecyparis) and other related genera is soft and not
prickly.
Juniper is the exclusive food plant of the larvae of
some Lepidoptera species including Bucculatrix inusitata
and juniper carpet, and is also eaten by the larvae of
other Lepidoptera species such as Chionodes electella,
Chionodes viduella, juniper pug and pine beauty; those
of the tortrix moth C. duplicana feed on the bark around
injuries or canker.

Many junipers (e.g. J. chinensis, J. virginiana) have two

types of leaves: seedlings and some twigs of older trees
have needle-like leaves 525 mm (0.200.98 in) long;
and the leaves on mature plants are (mostly) tiny (24
mm (0.0790.157 in)), overlapping and scale-like. When
juvenile foliage occurs on mature plants, it is most often
1

CLASSIFICATION

Classication

Cones and seeds.

Juniper needles, magnied.

Left, Juniperus communis
(Juniperus sect. Juniperus; note needles 'jointed' at base). Right,
Juniperus chinensis (Juniperus sect. Sabina; note needles merging smoothly with the stem, not jointed at base).

Juniperus phoenicea on El Hierro, Canary Islands

Juniperus occidentalis var. australis, eastern Sierra Nevada,

Rock Creek Canyon, California.

An Eastern Juniper in October laden with ripe cones.

Juniperus communis wood pieces, with a U.S. penny for scale,

The number of juniper species is in dispute, with two re- showing the narrow growth rings of the species.
cent studies giving very dierent totals, Farjon (2001)
accepting 52 species, and Adams (2004) accepting 67
species. The junipers are divided into several sections, which species belong to which sections is still far from
though (particularly among the scale-leaved species) clear, with research still on-going. The section Juniperus

3
is an obvious monophyletic group though.
Juniperus sect. Juniperus: Needle-leaf junipers.
The adult leaves are needle-like, in whorls of three,
and jointed at the base (see below right).
Juniperus sect. Juniperus subsect. Juniperus:
Cones with 3 separate seeds; needles with one
stomatal band.
Juniperus communis - Common Juniper
Juniperus communis subsp. alpina Alpine Juniper
Juniperus conferta - Shore Juniper (syn.
J. rigida var. conferta)
Juniperus rigida - Temple Juniper or Needle Juniper
Juniperus sect. Juniperus subsect. Oxycedrus:
Cones with 3 separate seeds; needles with two
stomatal bands.
Juniperus brevifolia - Azores Juniper
Juniperus cedrus - Canary Islands Juniper
Juniperus deltoides - Eastern Prickly Juniper
Juniperus formosana - Chinese Prickly
Juniper
Juniperus lutchuensis - Ryukyu Juniper
Juniperus navicularis - Portuguese Prickly
Juniper
Juniperus oxycedrus - Western Prickly Juniper or Cade Juniper
Juniperus macrocarpa (J. oxycedrus
subsp.
macrocarpa) - Large-berry
Juniper
Juniperus sect. Juniperus subsect. Caryocedrus: Cones with 3 seeds fused together; needles with two stomatal bands.
Juniperus drupacea - Syrian Juniper
Juniperus sect. Sabina: Scale-leaf junipers. The
adult leaves are mostly scale-like, similar to those
of Cupressus species, in opposite pairs or whorls of
three, and the juvenile needle-like leaves are not
jointed at the base (including in the few that have
only needle-like leaves; see below right). Provisionally, all the other junipers are included here, though
they form a paraphyletic group.
Old World species
Juniperus chinensis - Chinese Juniper
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii Sargent's Juniper (Japanese:
)
Juniperus chinensis L. var. tsukusiensis Masummune (Chinese:
)

Juniperus
chinensis
Kaizuka
(Japanese: )
Juniperus chinensis var. Procumbens
(Japanese: )
Juniperus
chinensis
Globosa
(Japanese: )
Juniperus chinensis Aurea' (Japanese:
)
Juniperus convallium - Mekong Juniper
Juniperus excelsa - Greek Juniper
Juniperus excelsa polycarpos - Persian Juniper
Juniperus foetidissima - Stinking Juniper
Juniperus indica - Black Juniper
Juniperus komarovii - Komarov's Juniper
Juniperus phoenicea - Phoenicean Juniper
Juniperus pingii - Ping Juniper
Juniperus pingii var. chengii
Juniperus pingii var. miehei
Juniperus pingii var. wilsonii
Juniperus procera - East African Juniper
Juniperus procumbens - Ibuki Juniper
Juniperus pseudosabina - Xinjiang Juniper
Juniperus recurva - Himalayan Juniper
Juniperus recurva var. butanica
Juniperus recurva var. coxii - Cox's
Juniper
Juniperus sabina - Savin Juniper
Juniperus sabina var. davurica Daurian Juniper
Juniperus saltuaria - Sichuan Juniper
Juniperus semiglobosa - Russian Juniper
Juniperus squamata - Flaky Juniper
Juniperus thurifera - Spanish Juniper
Juniperus tibetica - Tibetan Juniper
Juniperus wallichiana - Himalayan Black
Juniper

New World species

Juniperus angosturana - Mexican Oneseed Juniper
Juniperus ashei - Ashe Juniper
Juniperus arizonica - Synonym: Juniperus coahuilensis var. arizonica or Juniperus erythrocarpa var. coahuilensis. common names: Redberry Juniper, Roseberry Juniper
Juniperus barbadensis - West Indies Juniper
Juniperus bermudiana - Bermuda Juniper
Juniperus blancoi - Blanco's Juniper
Juniperus californica - California Juniper

CULTIVATION AND USES

Juniperus coahuilensis - Coahuila Juniper

Juniperus comitana - Comitn Juniper
Juniperus deppeana - Alligator Juniper
Juniperus durangensis - Durango Juniper
Juniperus accida - Mexican Weeping
Juniper
Juniperus gamboana - Gamboa Juniper
Juniperus horizontalis - Creeping Juniper
Juniperus jaliscana - Jalisco Juniper
Juniperus monosperma - One-seed Juniper
Juniperus monticola - Mountain Juniper
Juniperus occidentalis - Western Juniper
Juniperus occidentalis subsp. australis - Sierra Juniper
Juniperus osteosperma - Utah Juniper
Juniperus pinchotii - Pinchot Juniper
Juniperus saltillensis - Saltillo Juniper
Juniperus scopulorum - Rocky Mountain
Juniper
Juniperus standleyi - Standley's Juniper
Juniperus virginiana - Eastern Juniper
(Eastern Redcedar)
Juniperus virginiana subsp. silicicola
- Southern Juniper
Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma and scopulorum) essential oil
Juniperus zanonii (proposed) * [2]

In Morocco, the tar (gitran) of the arar tree (Juniperus

phoenicea) is applied in dotted patterns on bisque drinking cups. Gitran makes the water more fragrant and is
Juniper berries are a spice used in a wide variety of culi- said to be good for the teeth.
nary dishes and best known for the primary avoring in Some Indigenous peoples, such as the Dineh, have tradigin (and responsible for gin's name, which is a shortening tionally used juniper to treat diabetes.* [3] Animal studof the Dutch word for juniper, genever). Juniper berries ies have shown that treatment with juniper may reare also used as the primary avor in the liquor Jenever tard the development of streptozotocin-induced diabetes
and sahti-style of beers. Juniper berry sauce is often a in mice.* [4] Native Americans have also used juniper
popular avoring choice for quail, pheasant, veal, rabbit, berries as a female contraceptive.* [5] The 17th Century
venison and other meat dishes.
herbalist physician Nicholas Culpeper recommended the

Cultivation and uses

Many of the earliest prehistoric people lived in or near juniper forests which furnished them food, fuel, and wood
for shelter or utensils. Many species, such as J. chinensis (Chinese Juniper) from eastern Asia, are extensively
used in landscaping and horticulture, and as one of the
most popular species for use in bonsai. It is also a symbol
of longevity, strength, athleticism, and fertility.

ripened berries for conditions such as asthma and sciatica,

as well as to speed childbirth.* [6]
Juniper is one of the plants used in Scottish and Gaelic
Polytheist saining rites, such as those performed at
Hogmanay (New Year), where the smoke of burning juniper is used to cleanse, bless and protect the household
and its inhabitants.* [7]* [8]* [9]

Some junipers are susceptible to Gymnosporangium rust Juniper berries are steam distilled to produce an essential
disease, and can be a serious problem for those people oil that may vary from colorless to yellow or pale green.
growing apple trees, the alternate host of the disease.
Some of its chemical components are alpha pinene,
Some junipers are given the common namecedar,in- cadinene, camphene and terpineol. Leaves and twigs of
cluding Juniperus virginiana, thered cedarthat is used Juniperus virginiana are steam distilled to produce oil of
widely in cedar drawers. Eastern redcedaris the cor- juniper. Middle Tennessee and adjacent northern Alrect name for J. virginiana. The lack of space between abama and southern Kentucky are the centers for this acthe words redand cedarindicate that this species tivity. The U.S. Forest Service has provided plans for the
is not a true cedar, Cedrus.
apparatus required. This work is typically done during

5
periods of cold weather to reduce the loss of essential oil
to evaporation, which is greater in warmer weather, and
to take advantage of a time of year when labor might be
more readily available.
Juniper in weave is a traditional cladding technique used
in Northern Europe, e.g. at Havr, Norway.* [10]

Footnotes

[1] Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606607

[2] Adams, Robert. Phytologia (April 2010) 92(1)".
[3] McCabe, Melvina; Gohdes, Dorothy; Morgan, Frank;
Eakin, Joanne; Sanders, Margaret; Schmitt, Cheryl
(2005).
Herbal Therapies and Diabetes Among
Navajo Indians. Diabetes Care 28 (6): 15341535.
doi:10.2337/diacare.28.6.1534-a.
[4] Swanston-Flatt, S. K.; Day, C.; Bailey, C. J.; Flatt, P.
R. (1990). Traditional plant treatments for diabetes.
Studies in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice. Diabetologia 33 (8): 462464. doi:10.1007/BF00405106.
PMID 2210118.
[5] Tilford, Gregory L. (1997). Edible and Medicinal Plants
of the West. Mountain Press Publishing Company. ISBN
0-87842-359-1.
[6] Culpeper, Nicholas (1985). Culpeper's Complete Herbal.
Godfrey Cave Associates. ISBN 1-85007-026-1.
[7] McNeill, F. Marian (1961). X Hogmany Rites and Superstitions. The Silver Bough, Vol.3: A Calendar of
Scottish National Festivals, Halloween to Yule. Glasgow:
William MacLellan. p. 113. ISBN 0-948474-04-1.
[8] Loughlin, Annie "Saining" at Tairis UK. Accessed 8-6-14
[9] Loughlin, Annie "Saining Ritual" at Tairis UK. Accessed
8-6-14
[10] Berge, Bjrn (2009). The Ecology of Building Materials
(2nd ed.). Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-85617-537-1.

References
Adams, R. P. (2004). Junipers of the World: The
genus Juniperus. Victoria: Traord. ISBN 1-41204250-X
Farjon, A. (2001). World Checklist and Bibliography
of Conifers. Kew. ISBN 1-84246-025-0
Farjon, A. (2005). Monograph of Cupressaceae and
Sciadopitys. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 184246-068-4
Mao, K., Hao, G., Liu J., Adams, R. P. and R. I.,
Milne. (2010). Diversication and biogeography
of Juniperus (Cupressaceae): variable diversication rates and multiple intercontinental dispersals.
New Phytologist 188(1): 254-272.

6 External links
Junipers of the world
Gymnosperm Database - Juniperus
Arboretum de Villardebelle Photos of cones and foliage of selected species
"Juniper".
1911.

Encyclopdia Britannica (11th ed.).

"Juniper". Encyclopedia Americana. 1920.

7 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

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Juniper Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juniper?oldid=650801087 Contributors: RobLa, Nonenmac, Collabi, Ahoerstemeier, Jimfbleak, Bogdangiusca, Hike395, Marshman, Nv8200p, Donarreiskoer, Robbot, WormRunner, Scythian99, Lupo, MPF, Matt Crypto, Gadum, LiDaobing, Yath, Quadell, Kvasir, JoJan, Burschik, Fanghong, Mike Rosoft, Rich Farmbrough, Paul August, Swid, MBisanz, El C,
Kwamikagami, Summer Song, BrokenSegue, Man vyi, RaKojian, Hesperian, Stephen G. Brown, Amorymeltzer, Woohookitty, Richard
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