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Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Evergreen Trees (Conifers), Vegetation Around Las Vegas
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Prostrate shrub growing low to the ground

General: Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a coniferous (cone-bearing) shrub with sharp, stout needles that radiate in all directions from the twigs (unlike other junipers). The cones are round berries about 1/4-inch in diameter. This species is most easily recognized by the low-growing, mat-like nature of the plant and the spiky needles.

In Nevada, Common Juniper is an uncommon component of the montane vegetation in the Spring and Sheep mountains in the Canadian (Pine-Fir Forest) and Hudsonian (Bristlecone Forest) life zones.

Family: Cypress (Cupressaceae).

Other Names:

Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Needles awl-shaped: pointed, stiff, to 0.5 in long

Plant Form: Low, spreading shrub.

Height: To 2-3 feet tall.

Trunk: Short.

Bark: Reddish brown, scaly or peeling in papery sheets.

Branches: Grow along the ground, twisted, stiff. Branchlets 3-dimensional (not flattened).

Needles: Needle-shaped, pointed, stiff, to 0.5 in long; whorls of 3, 6-ranked; white band above, dark green below; spreading at right angles to the branchlets.

Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Green, unripe berries

Cones: Berry, green, maturing to bright blue or black, 1/5-to-1/3-inch diameter, set at junction of leaves and branchlets, resinous.

Seeds: 1–3 per cone; 2–5 mm.

Habitat: Rocky and wooded mountain slopes.

Elevation: 6,200 to 11,200 feet.

Distribution: Northern Hemisphere around the world. Around Las Vegas, a few, scattered individuals can be found in the Spring and Sheep Mountains. They are more common to the north.

Comments: Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) is a northern species that occurs across northern North America south of the tundra. This species is uncommon around Las Vegas, but scattered patches can be found in the Spring and Sheep Mountains. In the Spring Mountains, this species can be most easily seen along the Bristlecone and Mummy Spring trails. It can also be found on Harris Mountain.

Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Fresh leaves are stout, short, and sharp
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Fresh leaves are stout, short, and sharp, in whorls of 3
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Fresh leaves, dorsal and ventral surfaces
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Fresh leaf, dorsal surface with white band
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Fresh leaf, ventral surface dark green
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Dried leaves dessicate to a smaller diameter than expected
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Leaves and unripe cones
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Unripe cones
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Leaves and unripe cones
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Leaves during fall with ripe and unripe cones
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Two ripe cones
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Two ripe cones
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Three ripe cones and one unripe cone
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Ripe cones on the tree
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Ripe cones in the hand
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Ripe cones in the hand

Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
copyright; Last updated 240903

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