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Juniperus silicicola
  • Southern Redcedar

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

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.
  • Windbreak
    Windbreak
    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
  • 8
    Zone 8
    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 silicicola has 0 edible uses listed
Juniperus silicicola has 0 material uses listed
Juniperus silicicola has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant might be toxic[1][2].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked. A thin, sweetish resinous flesh, the cones are about 7 - 10mm in diameter and have a thin skin[3][4].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

Wood - straight-grained, very durable, light, brittle, soft, easily worked, very fragrant, insect-resistant[4]. The wood does not shrink much on drying and weighs 30lb per cubic foot[5]. The reddish wood is highly prized for cabinet making[6], it is also used for fencing, the casing of lead pencils etc[4]. This tree has been over-exploited and large trees suitable for commercial exploitation are now rare[4].

The following reports are for the closely related J. virginiana, they probably also apply to this species.

An essential oil is obtained from the wood[7][8][9][10]. Composed of cedar camphor or cedrol[11], it is used in soaps, as an insecticide and moth repellent[10][11], a deodorant, in polishes, perfumery etc[1][12]. The leaves are used as an incense[8][11] and are also either burnt or crushed and then scattered around as an insect repellent[13][14]. The crushed bark can be used as a soft base in cradles[14]. The bark has also been used to make mats[14]. Some cultivars of this tree are suitable for ground cover when spaced about 90cm apart each way[15]. 'Tripartita' and 'Chamberlaynii' have been recommended[15].

A fairly wind resistant tree, it can be grown as part of a shelterbelt planting[16].

Unknown part

Essential
Incense
Insecticide
Repellent
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are analgesic, antirheumatic, diuretic and febrifuge[14]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers, stiff neck, backache, headaches, low fever, coughs, colds and diarrhoea[14]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as a body rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism[14].

The following reports are for the closely related J. virginiana, they probably also apply to this species.

The leaves are anthelmintic, diuretic, rubefacient and stimulant[1][14]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds, general weakness and as a medicine for convalescents[14]. The berries are anthelmintic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue and mildly antiseptic[1][11][2][14]. They have been chewed as a treatment for mouth ulcers[11][14] or made into a tea to treat colds, rheumatism, worms etc[2][14]. The fresh young twigs are used as a diuretic[11]. An infusion has been used both internally and as a steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism[14]. The essential oil from the wood is an abortifacient, in some cases it has caused vomiting, convulsions, coma and death[1][11]. The plant is said to contain the anticancer compound podophyllotoxin[2].

The essential oil from the berries is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Composing'[17].

Unknown part

Abortifacient
Analgesic
Anthelmintic
Antirheumatic
Antiseptic
Aromatherapy
Cancer
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Febrifuge
Rubefacient

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover


Windbreak

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[18][19]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[20]. 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[7].

Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[7][18].

Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[18].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Juniperus silicicola. 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[7][20] and succeeding on chalk[16]. Established plants are drought tolerant, succeeding in hot dry positions[16].

This species is only hardy in the milder areas of the country, requiring a warm sunny sheltered position[19]. A very ornamental tree, it is a slow-growing but long-lived tree in the wild[4]. Seed production is cyclic, a year of high yields being followed by some years of low yields[4]. Closely related to J. virginiana[4]. This species often hybridizes with other members of the genus. The crushed foliage has an aroma like soap or paint[21]. Plants are resistant to honey fungus[22]. In America this tree is a host of a gall-like rust that at certain stages in its life-cycle also attacks the leaves of apple trees[23].

Plants are dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Juniperus silicicola. 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 silicicola.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Juniperus silicicola
Genus
Juniperus
Family
Cupressaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3][4]
Medicinal uses
[14][1][11][2][17]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][1][12][13][14][15][16]
Botanic
[3][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover, Windbreak
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
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
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
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
20 x 8 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious











References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.611.711.8 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  14. ? 14.0014.0114.0214.0314.0414.0514.0614.0714.0814.0914.1014.1114.1214.13 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.2 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.1 Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-9517723-0-9 (1993-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  19. ? 19.019.1 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
  20. ? 20.020.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  21. ? Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
  22. ? RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (1987-00-00)
  23. ? Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-78958-3 (1987-00-00)


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Facts about "Juniperus silicicola"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyCupressaceae +
Belongs to genusJuniperus +
Functions asGround cover + and Windbreak +
Has common nameSouthern Redcedar +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partFruit +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has growth rateSlow +
Has hardiness zone8 +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useEssential +, Incense +, Insecticide +, Repellent + and Wood +
Has mature height20 +
Has mature width8 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAbortifacient +, Analgesic +, Anthelmintic +, Antirheumatic +, Antiseptic +, Aromatherapy +, Cancer +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Febrifuge + and Rubefacient +
Has search namejuniperus silicicola + 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 silicicola +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy + and Soil surface +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +