Practical
Plants

Juniperus sabina

Savine

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
4 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.

The whole plant is poisonous and can produce abortions[9].

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 young shoots are abortifacient, diuretic, emetic, powerfully emmenagogue and irritant[9][13]. The plant is rarely used internally but is useful as an ointment and dressing to blisters etc in order to promote discharge[9]. The powdered leaves are also used in the treatment of warts[1][9][13][7]. The shoots are harvested in spring and dried for later use[9]. Use with great caution and never during pregnancy[9][7], see notes above on toxicity.

Product or use
Abortifacient
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Irritant
Product or use
Warts

Material uses

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

Leaves are used as an insect repellent, a decoction of them is used against lice[10][12]. An essential oil from the leaves and shoots has strong diuretic properties and is also used in perfumery[1][12]. Yields of around 4% are obtained, this oil is also used as an insecticide[13]. A good dense ground cover plant, though it is slow to cover the ground[4]. The species type eventually forms a high ground cover, but there are many named forms that are lower-growing[6]. The sub-species J. sabina tamariscifolia has been particularly recommended[3]. Plants should be spaced about 1.2 metres apart each way[6]. The taller forms of this species make a good hedge[8].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Parasiticide
Product or use
Repellent

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Hedge

Environment

Range
C. and S. Europe to N. America.
Habitat
Dry stony places in mountains[11], usually on limestone[2], at elevations of 1000 - 2300 metres.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
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[14][15]. 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][14]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[14].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[1][2]. Prefers a limestone soil[1]. Succeeds in poor soils and in light shade[4]. Established plants are drought tolerant, succeeding in hot dry positions[5]. Tolerates maritime exposure[5]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[3]. All parts of the plant have a powerful pungent smell[8]. Plants can be dioecious or monoecious. Male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed are required. The plant is sometimes attacked by a rust, this is a fungus with an aecidial stage on the leaves of pear trees[1]. Plants are resistant to honey fungus[16].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩

  11. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

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