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Juniper
Juniperus monosperma One seed juniper
Juniperus communis Common juniper
Juniperus deppeana Alligator juniper
Juniperus scopulorum (Juniperus virginiana var. scopulorum) Rocky mountain juniper
Cupressaceae – Cypress family
Description Junipers are small shrubs or medium sized trees, often rounded or conical in shape with stringy or checkerboard-like bark. These evergreen plants have either branchlets covered by short scale-like leaves clustered in pairs (sometimes in groupings of 3) or branchlets supporting needle-like leaves in groupings of 3. Usually there is a resin gland situated on the back of each scale-like leaf. When crushed all Junipers are aromatic. Male and female flowers tend to develop on separate trees, although in rare circumstances both types can be found on the same tree. Both male and female flowers are small and unremarkable. The berries are actually specialized cones and take a season or two to mature fully. They are blue to copper in color, fleshy, sweet, and contain 1-12 hard seeds.
Juniperus monosperma is a small tree or large shrub that branches from the ground. Typically, it has no main trunk to speak of, but if so, it is short. Its bark is light gray and shreddy. The leaf groupings of 2 or sometimes 3 are scale-like and like most Junipers are pressed against the branchlets. The mature fruit is dark blue with a fine bluish-white, waxy powder covering its surface. Normally the fruits contain 1 seed, on rare occasions 2-3. They are brown and oval. J. communis is usually a shrubby, prostrated plant, although in some areas such as in southern Illinois and northern Germany it reportably reaches tree proportions. Beyond these exceptional cases, J. communis is usually less than 5 feet in height and sometimes double or triple that across. Its branches tend to grow laterally and form tangled masses. The evergreen leaves are needle-like and lance shaped; they are whitish above and dark green beneath. The berries take 2 seasons to ripen fully, are bluish-black, fleshy, sweet, and contain 1-3 small hard seeds.
Juniperus deppeana is a small tree reaching 30 feet in height. This species is remarkably long-lived; some are purported to be 1500 years old. The trunks, particularly on older trees, are thickened and somewhat tortuous. The grayish bark is fissured in a checkerboard pattern, lending credence to the common name Alligator juniper. On older trees, sometimes only small strips of living bark arise from the base to enliven a full canopy. There is a noticeable resin gland on the back of each leaf. The fruits are reddish-brown and are covered by a grayish waxy coating. The berry contains 3-4 angled seeds.
Juniperus scopulorum is a large bush or small tree reaching 35 feet in height. This tree has a slender crown and drooping branches, which gives it a weeping appearance. In open areas where the crown is rounded and the branches grow upward, the plant is bush-forming. The bark is brownish-gray and pulls away in narrow strips. The small pointed leaves are scale-like and arranged in pairs. Each has a resin gland on its back. The fruits are blue and are covered by a whitish coating that is easily rubbed off. They are juicy, sweet, and contain 1-2 seeds. J. scopulorum is very closely related to J. virginiana or Red cedar of the eastern part of the country. Morphologically the two trees are almost identical. The most significant variation is that it takes one season for J. virginiana’s fruits to mature, whereas it takes two for J. scopulorum to do the same.
Distribution Juniperus monosperma is found from western Kansas and central Colorado to the Texas Panhandle, through much of New Mexico and central-eastern Arizona to southern Nevada. Look for the tree between 3,000-5,500 feet throughout the bulk of its range. It can be found also at lower elevations to the north and east. It is commonly found in rocky soils with Pinyon pine.
Juniperus communis is found throughout temperate North America. In the southwest, it is encountered at elevations of 8,000 feet and higher. It is a ubiquitous Juniper extensively found throughout Europe. J. deppeana is found throughout middle mountain elevations of 4,500-8,000 feet. Look for it in canyons and drainage areas and on hillsides. It ranges from west Texas through New Mexico to Arizona. J. scopulorum is distributed from Alberta south to western Texas. From there it is found west to British Columbia, Washington, eastern Oregon, Nevada, and northern Arizona. It is found throughout a great array of elevations - from nearly sea level along the northwest coast, to almost 9,000 feet throughout the southwest.
Chemistry Prominent essential oil content for Juniperus communis: a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, delta-2-carene, a-phellandrene, b-phellandrene, delta-3-carene, limonene, bornylacetate, (e)-caryophyllene, a-humulene, a-muurolene, germacrene a, germacrene d, germacrene d-4-ol, g-cadinene, delta-cadinene, and a-cadinol
Medicinal Uses Juniper has centuries of cross-cultural usage behind its application as a urinary tract medicine. Through Juniper’s stimulating nature it works best in alleviating low-grade, long-standing, subacute or chronic urinary tract irritability and discomfort. Use in chronic cystitis and painful urination accompanied by mucus in the urine. Although alcoholic preparations tend to extract Junipers volatile constituents more completely the leaf or berry tea is as useful is serving as a urinary tract antiseptic; most Junipers are broadly inhibiting to bacteria and fungi. Small amounts of the tea are useful in imparting cellular stimulation in low-grade, on and off again nephritis, particularly if used in formula.
Due to its aromatics, Juniper tends to be moderately carminative. Several ounces of the tea or 30-40 drops of the tincture can lessen stomach bloating and cramping. Topically Juniper oil or salve can be helpful in resolving long-standing episodes of eczema and psoriasis. Through the plant’s interesting mix of antiinflammatory qualities and stimulating aromatics, it often is the right plant for long-standing, subacute problems of the urinary tract and skin.
Indications Cystitis/urethritis, chronic Nephritis, chronic Dyspepsia Eczema/psoriasis (external)
Collection Collect the leaves and/or fruits alone or together. Both parts are equally potent as medicine. Dry normally.
Preparations and Dosage Leaf/berry infusion: 4-6 ounces 3 times daily FPT/DPT (75% alcohol): 30-40 drops 3 times daily
Cautions Do not use Juniper during pregnancy due to the plant’s potential of stimulating uterine vasculature. Also do not use in acute inflammatory states affecting the kidneys.
Other Uses Termites that are force fed Juniper sawdust die prematurely. |