Juniperus occidentalis

Trees monoecious or dioecious, to 20(–30) m, single-stemmed; crown rounded to conical. Bark red-brown to brown, exfoliating in thin strips, that of small branchlets (5–10 mm diam.) smooth, that of larger branchlets exfoliating in scales or flakes. Branches spreading to ascending; branchlets erect, 3–4-sided in cross section, ca. 2/3 or less as wide as length of scalelike leaves. Leaves green, abaxial glands ovate to elliptic, conspicuous, with yellow or white exudate, margins denticulate (at 20×); whip leaves 3–6 mm, not glaucous adaxially; scalelike leaves 1–3 mm, not overlapping, rounded, apex acute to obtuse, appressed. Seed cones maturing in 2 years, of 2 distinct sizes, with straight peduncle, ovoid, 5–10 mm, blue to blue-black, glaucous, fleshy and resinous, with 2(–3) seeds. Seeds 2–4 mm.

Distribution

Only in the flora.

Discussion

Varieties 2.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Juniperus occidentalis var. australis, Juniperus occidentalis var. occidentalis

Key

1	Bark red-brown; seed cones (5-)7.5(-9) mm; plants often (50%) monoecious.	Juniperus occidentalis var. occidentalis
1	Bark brown; seed cones (7-)8.5(-10) mm; plants mostly (90%) dioecious.	Juniperus occidentalis var. australis