This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Juniperus chinensis
  • Chinese Juniper

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Juniperus genus in the family Cupressaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Acid to Very alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Juniperus chinensis has 0 material uses listed
Juniperus chinensis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Juniperus chinensis.

Material uses

A number of cultivars are suitable for use as a ground cover, though they are rather slow-growing[1]. They should be spaced about 90cm apart each way[1]. 'Parsonsii' can grow up to 2 metres across, with its branches horizontal to and about 5cm above the ground but never touching the ground[1].

Unknown part

Parasiticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The stems are used in the treatment of parasitic skin problems and rheumatism[2].

The fruit is used in the treatment of convulsions, excessive sweating and hepatitis[2]. The root is used in the treatment of burns and scalds[2].

The resin, mixed with the resin of Pinus species, is used as a resolvent on tumours[2].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Haemostatic
Hepatic
Parasiticide
Resolvent

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. The seed has a hard seedcoat and can be very slow to germinate, requiring a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold spell, each of 2 - 3 months duration[3][4]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[5]. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some might germinate in the following spring, though most will take another year. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (when the embryo has fully formed but before the seedcoat has hardened). The seedlings can be potted up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on in pots until large enough, then plant out in early summer. When stored dry, the seed can remain viable for several years[6].

Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[6][3].

Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[3].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Juniperus chinensis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[6][5][7]. Succeeds in chalky soils[7]. Established plants are drought tolerant, succeeding in hot dry positions[7].

A slow growing and rather short-lived tree[8]. The plants produce new growth from early May to the end of August and can make 50cm a year increases in height when young[8]. A very ornamental plant[6], there are many named varieties[7]. The crushed foliage has a rather sour resinous scent[8].

Trees are usually dioecious but occasional monoecious trees occur[5]. Male and female flowers are required if fruit and seed is to be produced.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Juniperus chinensis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Juniperus chinensis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Juniperus chinensis
Genus
Juniperus
Family
Cupressaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[2]
Material uses & Functions
[1]
Botanic
[5][9][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy, Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    15 x 3 meters
    Fertility
    self sterile
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    dioecious

    "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    4. ? Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
    9. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

    "image:Dojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Juniperus_chinensis&oldid=78003"
    Facts about "Juniperus chinensis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCupressaceae +
    Belongs to genusJuniperus +
    Functions asGround cover +
    Has common nameChinese Juniper +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeDioecious +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageDojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useParasiticide +
    Has mature height15 +
    Has mature width3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Haemostatic +, Hepatic +, Parasiticide + and Resolvent +
    Has primary imageDojoji Gobo Wakayama05n4272.jpg +
    Has search namejuniperus chinensis + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameJuniperus chinensis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy + and Soil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +