Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Juniperus communis

Family

Cupressaceae

Flowering season

May to June

English distribution

It is found throughout the country but is most common

in northern and central southern regions.

See the BSBI distribution map for Juniper

Habitat

It grows on chalk downs, moors, heaths, woodland and

rocky areas.

It is on the decline due to overgrazing and burning, and

disappears during plant succession when Juniper shrub is

taken over by shade-forming trees.

Description

Juniper is a native, small, coniferous, evergreen tree or

shrub, growing up to 10m.

It is dioecious with male and female cones on separate

plants.

Male cones are yellow, up to 8mm long and contain 15

stamens in whorls of 3. 

Female flowers are small at 2mm and are made up of

whorls of fleshy scales and 3 ovules.

After pollination the ovules increase in size to form a

green globe. This takes another year to turn purple.

Ripe cones (berries) are spread by birds.

Leaves are up to 20mm, sessile and in whorls of 3.

The bark of the stems is brownish-red.

Non-native varieties of Juniper are grown in gardens

and parks. They have 2 types of leaves: a juvenile

soft needle type, which may fall off, and a mature

scale type, which is permanent.