Practical
Plants

Juniperus excelsa

Grecian 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
Height
20 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked. A liquid is obtained from the fruit[3] (used for drinking?).The cones are about 7 - 12mm in diameter and take 2 years to mature[6].

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.

The smoke from the branches is used in India to treat the delirium of fevers[7].

Product or use
Miscellany

Material uses

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

The bark is used for roofing[3]. Wood - moderately hard, close and even grained, fragrant, good quality. Used for construction, fuel and it is also burnt as an incense[1][3][4]. The crushed foliage emits a warm resinous scent[5].

Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Roofing
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
S. Europe to E. Asia.
Habitat
Inner dry ranges of the Himalayas, 1500 - 4200 metres[3], from Nepal to Afghanistan.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
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[8][9]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[2]. 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][8]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[8].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in dry soils. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[2] and succeeding on chalk[6]. Plants are tender when young, they require a sheltered position[1]. The crushed foliage emits a warm resinous scent[5]. Plants are usually dioecious though sometimes they are monoecious[2]. 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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩

  5. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. 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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

Edit this page