Practical
Plants

Juniperus communis

Juniper

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
9 m
Spread
4 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although the fruit of this plant is quite often used medicinally and as a flavouring in various foods and drinks, large doses of the fruit can cause renal damage. Juniper should not be used internally in any quantities by pregnant women[32][9].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[16][30][40][7]. It is usually harvested in the autumn when fully ripe and then dried for later use[4]. A soft, mealy, sweet, resinous flesh[38]. The fruit is often used as a flavouring in sauerkraut, stuffings, vegetable pates etc, and is an essential ingredient of gin[12]. The aromatic fruit is used as a pepper substitute according to one report[12]. An essential oil is sometimes distilled from the fruit to be used as a flavouring[12]. Average yields are around 1%[34]. The cones are about 4 - 8mm in diameter and take 2 - 3 years to mature[38][17]. Some caution is advised when using the fruit, see the notes above on toxicity. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[11]. A tea is made by boiling the leaves and stems[8]. A tea made from the berries has a spicy gin-like flavour[12].

Product or use
Coffee
Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Juniper fruits are commonly used in herbal medicine, as a household remedy, and also in some commercial preparations. They are especially useful in the treatment of digestive disorders plus kidney and bladder problems[28]. The fully ripe fruits are strongly antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, strongly diuretic, rubefacient, stomachic and tonic[28][34][40][19][29][9][24][27]. They are used in the treatment of cystitis, digestive problems, chronic arthritis, gout and rheumatic conditions[27]. They can be eaten raw or used in a tea[21], but some caution is advised since large doses can irritate the urinary passage[28]. Externally, it is applied as a diluted essential oil, having a slightly warming effect upon the skin and is thought to promote the removal of waste products from underlying tissues[27]. It is, therefore, helpful when applied to arthritic joints etc[27]. The fruits should not be used internally by pregnant women since this can cause an abortion[40]. The fruits also increase menstrual bleeding so should not be used by women with heavy periods[27]. When made into an ointment, they are applied to exposed wounds and prevent irritation by flies[28]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Toxin elimination'[20].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A decoction of the branches is used as an anti-dandruff shampoo[10]. The essential oil distilled from the fruits is used in perfumes with spicy fragrances[23]. In hot countries the tree yields the resin 'Sandarac' from incisions in the trunk[28][35]. This is used in the production of a white varnish[35]. The stems were at one time used as a strewing herb to sweeten the smell of rooms[5][25]. The whole plant can be burnt as an incense and fumigant[33][2][6]. It was used during epidemics in the belief that it would purify the air and cleanse it of infection[25]. Fresh or dried juniper branches also make a good insect repellent[2][10]. Many forms of this species are good ground cover plants for sunny situations[18]. Forms to try include 'Depressa Aurea', 'Dumosa', 'Effusa', and 'Repanda'[15]. 'Prostrata' can also be used[14]. The bark is used as cordage[31] and as a tinder[10]. Wood - strong, hard, fragrant, very durable in contact with the soil and very close-grained, but usually too small to be of much use[38][22][25][26]. It makes an excellent fuel[33].

Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Resin
Product or use
Strewing
Product or use
Tinder

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy, Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Northern temperate zone, incl Britain, south to the mountains of N. Africa, Himalayas and California
Habitat
Chalk downs in S. England but only where there is least sunshine and most rain, heaths, moors, pine and birch woods in the north of Scotland on acid peat, often dominant on chalk, limestone and slate.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[36][37]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[3]. 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[1]. Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[1][36]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[36].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in hot dry soils and in poor soils. Succeeds in most soils so long as they are well drained[13], preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Does well in chalky soils[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates a pH range from 4 to 8[13]. Succeeds in light woodland but dislikes heavy shade[13]. Established plants are very tolerant of drought[13]. Although the fully dormant plant is cold-tolerant throughout Britain, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. All parts of the plant are very aromatic[26]. Juniper is a very polymorphic species that has a long history of culinary and medicinal use[25]. It is frequently grown in the ornamental and herb garden, there is a huge range of cultivars of widely diverse habits[3][37]. At least some forms tolerate maritime exposure[13], there is a thriving colony in an exposed position at Land's End in Cornwall[37]. The fruits take 2 - 3 years to ripen on the plant[3]. Plants are usually very slow growing, often only a few centimetres a year[13]. Resists honey fungus[39]. Plants are sometimes attacked by a rust, this fungus has an aecidial stage on hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)[1]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  4. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

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  5. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

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  6. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

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  7. Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-273-00098-5

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  8. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  9. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  10. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

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  11. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  12. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  13. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

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  14. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  15. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

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  16. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  17. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  18. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  19. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  20. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  21. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

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  22. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

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  23. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  24. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  25. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

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  26. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  27. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

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  28. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  29. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  30. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  31. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  32. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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  33. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

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  34. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

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  35. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

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  36. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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  37. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

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  38. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

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  39. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

    ↩

  40. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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