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Juniperus scopulorum
  • Rocky Mountain 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.
  • 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
  • 3
    Zone 3
    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 scopulorum has 0 edible uses listed
Juniperus scopulorum has 0 material uses listed
Juniperus scopulorum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2][3]. Sweet and fleshy, but strongly flavoured[4][5]. Resinous[6]. Often used as a flavouring, imparting a sage-like taste, for which purpose it is usually dried and ground into a powder[4][3]. The fruit can also be dried and ground into a meal for making mush and cakes[3].The fruits are about 5 - 8mm in diameter[7][6].

The roasted fruit is a coffee substitute[3].

A tea is made from the fruits and young shoots[3].

Unknown part

Coffee
Condiment
Tea

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

A fragrant wax on the fruits can be obtained by boiling the fruit and skimming off the wax as it floats to the surface. It is used to make aromatic candles but is only present in small quantities[4].

The boughs are used as an incense to fumigate houses and to drive off smells. The wood can be burnt or just hung in the room, or it can be boiled up in water and the water used to wash the walls, floor etc[8]. The bark is employed as a tinder and is also made into a slow match[9]. The dried seeds have been used as beads or as the 'rattle' in rattles[8][9]. The fruits and the leaves are used as an insect repellent[10]. A strong infusion of the cones is used to kill ticks[8]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover, the cultivar 'Repens' is especially suitable[11]. A fairly wind resistant tree, it can be grown as part of a shelterbelt planting[7]. In N. America it is used to some extent in re-afforestation and shelterbelt plantings on the prairies[6].

Wood - extremely tough, aromatic, close grained, light, fairly strong in endwise compression but moderately weak in bending, hard, durable in the soil. Used for interior finishes, bows, hoops, hafts, wheels etc[8][12][6].

Unknown part

Beads
Incense
Parasiticide
Repellent
Tinder
Wax
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Rocky Mountain juniper was widely employed medicinally by many native North American Indian tribes who used it in particular to treat problems connected with the chest and kidneys[13]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.

A tea made from the terminal shoots has been used in the treatment of VD by some N. American Indian tribes[14]. The treatment has to be taken over a long period of time[13]. The fruits are appetizer, diuretic and stomachic[13]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of stomach, kidney and bladder problems[14][13]. An infusion of the twigs has been used in the treatment of fevers, pneumonia, coughs and colds[13]. A poultice of the mashed and dampened branches has been applied to skin sores[13]. The leaves are diaphoretic, disinfectant, febrifuge, haemostatic, laxative, sedative and tonic[8][9][13]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of internal bleeding, constipation and constant coughing[13]. The leaves have been boiled, then mixed with turpentine and used as an external treatment on rheumatic joints[13].

The leaves have been rubbed into the hair in order to treat dandruff[14][13].

Unknown part

Antidandruff
Appetizer
Diaphoretic
Disinfectant
Diuretic
Haemostatic
Kidney
Laxative
Poultice
Sedative
Stomachic
Tonic
VD

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[15][16]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[17]. 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[18].

Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[18][15].

Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[15].

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



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils, including chalk[7], so long as they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[18][17]. A drought tolerant species once established, succeeding in hot dry positions[7]. Plants are fairly wind-resistant[7].

A long-lived but slow-growing tree in its native range[6], it is very slow growing in Britain where it only makes a shrub[19]. Closely allied to J. virginiana[18][16] and hybridising with it where the ranges meet[20]. It differs mainly in the fruit, which takes two years to mature in this species instead of one[20]. Plants are resistant to honey fungus[21]. This tree is apparently resistant to the rust fungus that attacks the closely related J. virginiana[12].

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 scopulorum. 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 scopulorum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Juniperus scopulorum
Genus
Juniperus
Family
Cupressaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[13][14][8][9]
Material uses & Functions
[4][8][9][10][11][7][6][12]
Botanic
[22][7]
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
3
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
10 x 4 meters
Fertility
self sterile
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
dioecious

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"image:Juniperus scopulorum berries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Juniperus scopulorum berries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Juniperus scopulorum berries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Juniperus scopulorum berries.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.6 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art (1939-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  11. ? 11.011.1 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press ISBN 0-292-78958-3 (1987-00-00)
  13. ? 13.0013.0113.0213.0313.0413.0513.0613.0713.0813.0913.10 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.214.3 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.1 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
  17. ? 17.017.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.218.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  19. ? Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
  20. ? 20.020.1 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  21. ? RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (1987-00-00)
  22. ? Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)

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Facts about "Juniperus scopulorum"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyCupressaceae +
Belongs to genusJuniperus +
Functions asGround cover + and Windbreak +
Has common nameRocky Mountain Juniper +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part + and Fruit +
Has edible useCoffee substitute +, Seasoning +, Unknown use + and Tea +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeSelf sterile + and Wind +
Has flowers of typeDioecious +
Has growth rateSlow +
Has hardiness zone3 +
Has imageJuniperus scopulorum berries.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useBeads +, Incense +, Parasiticide +, Repellent +, Tinder +, Wax + and Wood +
Has mature height10 +
Has mature width4 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntidandruff +, Appetizer +, Diaphoretic +, Disinfectant +, Diuretic +, Haemostatic +, Kidney +, Laxative +, Poultice +, Sedative +, Stomachic +, Tonic + and VD +
Has primary imageJuniperus scopulorum berries.jpg +
Has search namejuniperus scopulorum + 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 scopulorum +
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 +