Also known as Dwarf/Prostrate Juniper. Prostrate or low, dioecious shrub, usually less than 2 m tall, forming dense mats up to 1-3 m in diameter; leaves in threes, linear-lanceolate, awl-shaped, sharp pointed, 6-12 mm long, abaxially dark green, deeply grooved and white on adaxial side, jointed at base. | ||
leaves |
cones |
seeds |
|
|
|
General
Description:
Common Juniper
is a prostrate, trailing, up to 3 meter tall, dioecious shrub usually associated
with and found growing under Subalpine Fir or other conifers. At higher elevations
it may be found growing in the open. The somewhat reddish bark is thin, shredding,
and somewhat scaly. The leaves are mostly in three ranks. They are distinctive
from the other junipers because they are jointed and remind one of a canoe because
they are pointed, concave, and whitish on the inner surface (adaxial) but dark
green on the abaxial surface. They can be up to 12 mm long. The dark blue, ovulate
cones require two years to mature. They reveal that they are really cones in
that the lines of the 3 to 8 fleshy scales are prominent and each usually has
a point remaining. They are up to 12 mm in diameter and very fleshy.
Similar
Species:
Juvenile
Rocky Mountain Juniper
Distribution:
To Alaska south in the mts. to California, east to Newfoundland and Greenland,
North Carolina, Georgia, Texas.
Habitat:
From sea level to alpine areas; at lower elevations under other conifers in
open woods, mountain valleys; at higher elevations on open, slopes.
Other:
Many varieties used as cultivars; ripe seed cones and leaves as a tincture;
seed cones can be chewed before a meal for achlorhydria; eaten as a snack or
survival food, said to lower blood sugar from adrenalin hyperglycemia; to alleviate
symptoms of urinary tract infections and urethritis; seed cones also used for
a volatile oil in the production of gin for its flavor and diuretic properties;
oil of juniper is also used as a diuretic, stomachic, and carminative in indigestion,
flatulence, and diseases of the kidneuy and bladder and can be mixed with lard
or other fat to be put on animal sores to discourage flies.