Juniperus occidentalis
Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 166. 1838.
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
Calif., Idaho, Nev., Oreg., Wash., only in the flora.
Discussion
Varieties 2.
Selected References
None.
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 |