Plant Family: Cupressaceae
Growth Form: Usually a multi-trunked shrub that grows from a central point and forms a dense, circular patch; sometimes a small tree.
Leaves: Small, sharp needles up to 2 cm long that grow in whorls of three; the top surface of each needle has a bluish-white stripe.
Bark: Gray to brown, peeling in narrow strips.
Cones: Dioecious, male cones golden brown, female cones berry-like, waxy, less than 1 cm in diameter, light grayish blue, ripening to blue-black; seen from fall into winter.
Habitat: Poor, rocky soils, old fields; requires full sun.
Range: Common Juniper has one of the widest geographic distributions of any woody plant – it is found throughout Europe, northern Asia, Alaska, Canada, and the northern tier of States! At least four subspecies are recognized by botanists across this vast range.
Similar Species: The young foliage of the closely related Eastern Red Cedar also has sharp needles, but older growth is scale-like, and Red Cedar is usually a small single-trunked tree.
Comments: The ripe cones, or juniper berries, have culinary use as a flavoring for foods, beer, and gin. They have also been used medicinally by native cultures.
