mountain juniper

Juniperus occidentalis var. australis

Family: Cupressaceae.

Type: Small evergreen conifer.

Leaves: Scale-like leaves, often with stomatal bloom in the divisions between the scales.

Twig: Pale cinnamon-orange bark that peels and flakes in thin strips.

Cone: The juniper "berry" is actually a cone. It it a dusty blue color, the size of a small blueberry, and is used to flavor gin.

Miscellaneous: The mountain juniper typically grows in rocky, poor soils at high altitudes, up into the subalpine. It often grows very slowly on exposed, windy sites, and often has a very gnarled, twisted shape. It is very shade-intolerant.





All photos and text ©2008 Ben Haller. Permission is granted to use and reproduce these photos for any non-commercial or non-profit use as long as this original copyright notice is retained.