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Key to Species — Part 12

A. Leaves free, 3 in a whorl, awl shaped, spiny; flowers axillary; berry bright blue with pale bloom; seeds 3.

(J. communis) DWARF JUNIPER

AA. Leaves appressed to twig, in threes or opposite, scale-like, minute; flowers terminal; berry brown or dark blue; seeds 1 to 12.

B. Berry large, brownish red, with dry, sweet flesh.

C. Seeds few or solitary.

D. Fruit oblong, 1 to 2-seeded; leaves in threes; twigs stout.

(J. Californica) CALIFORNIA JUNIPER

DD. Fruit round, 1-seeded; leaves in twos or threes; twigs slender.

(J. Utahensis) UTAH JUNIPER

CC. Seeds 4 to 12; berry with tubercles projecting.

D. Bark shed in thin, red, papery scales.

(J. flaccida) DROOPING JUNIPER

DD. Bark shed in squarish plates.

(J. pachyphloea) CHECKER-BARKED JUNIPER

BB. Berry small (except occidentalis), dark blue or black, resinous, juicy; seeds 1 to 4.

C. Twigs slender, pendulous.

D. Seed solitary, dark ashy grey.

(J. monosperma) ONE-SEEDED JUNIPER

DD. Seeds 2; berry flattened, 1/8 inch in diameter; bark light reddish brown; twigs 4-angled.

(J. Barbadensis) SOUTHERN RED JUNIPER

DDD. Seeds 1 to 4; berry round; bark brownish red, of loose scales.

(J. sabinoides) MOUNTAIN JUNIPER

CC. Twigs slender, stiff, erect; berry bright blue.

(J. scopulorum) ROCKY MOUNTAIN JUNIPER

CCC. Twigs stout; berry dark blue with pale bloom; seeds 2 to 3.

D. Leaves in threes, grey-green; tree a broad, low crown of large horizontal branches.

(J. occidentalis) WESTERN JUNIPER

DD. Leaves in twos, blue-green; tree a tall, narrow pyramid.

(J. Virginiana) RED JUNIPER--RED CEDAR

The junipers are distinguished from most other evergreens by the fact that they are not cone bearers. The flowers are inconspicuous, and similar to a true conifer's, but in course of development the scales thicken and grow together, forming a sweet, berry-like fruit. On many of these berries the tips of the cone scales may be distinctly seen on the outer surface. Junipers usually show two kinds of leaves: (1) stiff, spiny, narrow ones, channelled and free; (2) minute, scale-like ones, opposite in pairs and pressed close to the twig. The sap is resinous and aromatic. The wood is hard, reddish, durable and light--in certain species pleasantly fragrant.

Thirty-five species of junipers are distributed over the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to the wealth of the world valuable woods and ornamental trees and shrubs. Our own red juniper has over thirty cultivated varieties. The narrow, tapering spire, the globe of compact green and the pigmy forms--all are well adapted to formal gardening. The effects produced by the classic cypress in warmer climates may be reproduced in Northern gardens by the use of junipers.

The junipers are hardy over wide stretches of territory, and will grow on sterile soil. They resist unfavourable climates and thrive, as a rule, when transplanted. They love the sun and the wind. Better trees could not be provided for windbreaks against sea breezes, on a barren, exposed coast. They are multiplied by seeds, cuttings and layers, as well as by grafting. Seeds take two or three years to germinate.

Several Asiatic and European junipers are cultivated in America in various horticultural forms. Naturally, a tribe so submissive to the gardener's shears has long been under his care. Our native species are often seen in European gardens, and J. communis, Linn., of Europe is often planted here in its narrow, spiny form. A much-prized Himalayan species, J. recurva, D. Don., is a dwarf with long, spreading or trailing limbs. Of similar habit is J. Sabina, Linn., native of Europe and Asia, parent of many horticultural forms.

Dwarf Juniper (Juniperus communis, Linn.)--Shrub of sprawling habit, or small tree 20 to 30 feet, with short trunk and irregular, open head of erect branches. Bark loosely scaly, thin, reddish brown. Wood hard, fine textured, light brown, durable in soil. Buds loosely scaly, small, pointed. Leaves in threes, boat shaped, lined with a white bloom on the concave (upper) side, spiny, spreading, dark green, shiny below; 1/3 to 1/2 inch long; in winter, bronze green; persistent for many years. Flowers monoecious, axillary, in cone-like aments. Fruits ripe third autumn; berries bright blue with pale bloom, flesh mealy, soft; seeds 1 to 3. Preferred habitat, dry limestone hills; waste land. Distribution, Greenland to Alaska; south to Pennsylvania and Nebraska, in Rocky Mountains as far south as Texas, New Mexico and Arizona; Alaska to northern California. Uses: Planted for hedges, windbreaks and as a cover for waste land on seashore. Berries used to flavour gin.

This indefatigable little tree colonist has not only settled in most of the colder parts of this country, but it is found in the Eastern Hemisphere from the broad stretches of the North even to the mountains of southern Europe, northern Africa and the Himalayas. In America it assumes a definite tree habit only in southern Illinois. It would seem as if the limestone of these uplands gave the procumbent, incapable sprawler backbone enough to stand up and take its place among trees. In another particular this species lacks energy; it requires three years to ripen a crop of berries.