Juniperus californicus (California Juniper

Photographs

My photos:

This gorgeous plant was photographed in Joshua Tree in March.

More photos:

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Cupressaceae

In the garden:

an arborescent evergreen to 15 feet tall, with stout, irregular stems and a broad, erect, but fairly open, head. It’s bark is ashy-gray, with stiff branchlets supporting scale-like leaves. Note: leaves may be an irritant to the skin. Female plants produce bluish to reddish-brown berries which are quite attractive. Use in a variety of ways—some include: as a hedge, for a slope cover, and as a single specimen plant. It is drought resistant and will tolerate many types of soils. It prefers full sun, but will grow in the shade of other trees. Do not overwater.

In the wild:

It occurs on dry slopes and flats, mostly below 5000 feet. Unusual shapes have caused many of these shrubs to be collected illegally from the wild.

Ethnobotany:

It’s berries were used by Indians to make a ground meal and the leaves can be used to make a soothing tea.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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