Common Names
Common juniper, genévrier commun [French] (
Adams 1993
), Siberian juniper, dwarf juniper, enebro común [Spanish].
Taxonomic notes
Many infraspecific taxa have been described in this highly polymorphic species, but most are sympatric, or merge into each other where they meet. Thus, the observed morphological differences are for the most part explainable on the basis of habitat differences, chiefly climate. This treatment follows
Farjon (2005)
in recognizing five varieties, but he cautions that further study is needed, and that variation within populations is comparable to the differences described between the varieties. The varieties are as follows:
"
Juniperus communis
is the most widespread juniper species, and many subspecies and varieties have been described. A major study, including chemical characters, is needed to clarify the taxonomy" (
Adams 1993
).
Description
"Shrubs or small trees dioecious, to 4 m (if trees, to 10 m), multistemmed, decumbent or rarely upright; crown generally depressed. Bark brown, fibrous, exfoliating in thin strips, that of small branchlets (5-10 mm diam.) smooth, that of larger branchlets exfoliating in strips and plates. Branches spreading or ascending; branchlets erect, terete. Leaves green but sometimes appearing silver when glaucous, spreading, abaxial glands very elongate; adaxial surface with glaucous stomatal band; apex acute to obtuse, mucronate. Seed cones maturing in 2 years, of 2 distinct sizes, with straight peduncles, globose to ovoid, 6-13 mm, bluish black, glaucous, resinous to obscurely woody, with 2-3 seeds. Seeds 4-5 mm. 2
n
= 22" (
Adams 1993
).
Range
This is the most widespread conifer in the world, native to temperate Eurasia, and North America N of Mexico, occupying an extraordinary range of habitats (
Farjon 2005
). Among other places, it is native to Croatia; Sweden; and the United States. See also
Thompson
et al.
1999
.
Big Tree
"The tallest common juniper in Sweden is 18,5 high and grows at Lake Glypen in the province of Östergötland. The largest ... is found at Råå in the province of Närke. It has a girth of 2,8 m. at breast-height" (
Salomonson [no date]
).
Oldest
Ages to 600 years have been reported without supporting data (
Salomonson [no date]
).
Dendrochronology
Ethnobotany
The seed cones are used to flavor gin (
Adams 1993
).
Observations
Remarks
The only juniper species that occurs in both North America and Eurasia.
Citations
See Also
Elias 1987
.
Farjon (2005)
provides a detailed account, with illustrations and details on the varieties.
Flora Celtica. [no date]. Uses of some common Scottish plants. URL =
http://www.rbge.org.uk/data/celtica/Plantuses.htm
, accessed 28-Nov-2001.
Little 1980
The
Vascular Plant Image Gallery
.
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![Distribution of Juniperus communis L. var. communis L. [excluded]. .](http://plants.usda.gov/maps/thumbs/JU/JUCOC3.png "Distribution of Juniperus communis L. var. communis L. [excluded]. .")
