Juniperus communis: Country Or Region Of Origin
North temperate America and Europe
Plant Profile: Juniperus communis
Taxonomy: Juniperus communisNames
Common Juniper
Phonetic Spelling:jew-NIP-er-us KOM-yoo-nis
Genus:Juniperus
Species:communis
Family:Cupressaceae
This plant is a low-growing, evergreen shrub or a small tree characterized by its small, needle-like leaves that are tightly clustered on the twigs, typically arranged in groups of three. The seed cones are fleshy, bluish, and resemble berries. Additionally, this species is rarely affected by deer.
Seed type: Cone.
Juniperus communis Feature Summary
Juniperus communis Image Gallery
Tags
#evergreen
#poisonous
#wildlife plant
#native tree
#fragrant leaves
#playground
#NC native
#deer resistant
#children's garden
#edible fruits
#edible garden
Similar Plants
Juniperus communis Feature Summary
Attributes
North temperate America and Europe
Across the US
Birds feed on berries.
EDIBLE PARTS: "Berries" used to flavor gin and for cooked meats and red cabbage. Juniper tea can be made by placing a dozen young berryless twigs in a quart of cold water; bring to a boil then allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and use as regular tea, in small quantities. SOURCE: Angier, B. 1974. Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa, 255 pp.
Woody
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Wildlife Food Source
Fruit
fleshy seed cones bluish and berry-like
Blue
Edible
Summer
Flowers
Confier- does not have flowers.
Leaves
Leaves small, short needle-like (awn or awl shaped), tightly crowded on the twig, 3 at a whorl
Needled Evergreen
Green
Needles
Whorled
Acicular
Subulate
Edible
Fragrant
Poisonous to Humans
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. Large amounts may cause diarrhea.
Volatile oils including thujone.
Seeds
Leaves
Fruits
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Tree
Native Plant
Poisonous
Ground Cover
Needled Evergreen
Irregular
Slow
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Very Dry
Frequent Standing Water
Mountains
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
2a
2b
3a
3b
Stem
Landscape
Edible Garden
Children's Garden
Recreational Play Area
Woodland
Naturalized Area
Songbirds
Poisonous to Humans
Juniperus communis Image Gallery
Juniperus communis Attributes
Juniperus communis: Distribution
Across the US
Juniperus communis: Wildlife Value
Birds feed on berries.
Juniperus communis: Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: "Berries" used to flavor gin and for cooked meats and red cabbage. Juniper tea can be made by placing a dozen young berryless twigs in a quart of cold water; bring to a boil then allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and use as regular tea, in small quantities. SOURCE: Angier, B. 1974. Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pa, 255 pp.
Juniperus communis: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Juniperus communis: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Juniperus communis Fruit
Juniperus communis: Fruit Description
fleshy seed cones bluish and berry-like
Juniperus communis: Fruit Color
Blue
Juniperus communis: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Juniperus communis: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Juniperus communis Flowers
Juniperus communis: Flower Description
Confier- does not have flowers.
Juniperus communis Leaves
Juniperus communis: Leaf Description
Leaves small, short needle-like (awn or awl shaped), tightly crowded on the twig, 3 at a whorl
Juniperus communis: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Juniperus communis: Leaf Color
Green
Juniperus communis: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Juniperus communis: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Juniperus communis: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Juniperus communis: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Juniperus communis: Leaf Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy
Juniperus communis Poisonous to Humans
Juniperus communis: Poison Symptoms
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. Large amounts may cause diarrhea.
Juniperus communis: Poison Toxic Principle
Volatile oils including thujone.
Juniperus communis: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Juniperus communis: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Juniperus communis: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Juniperus communis Whole Plant Traits
Juniperus communis: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Juniperus communis: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Juniperus communis: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Juniperus communis: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Juniperus communis: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Juniperus communis Cultural Conditions
Juniperus communis: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Juniperus communis: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Juniperus communis: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
2a
2b
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
Juniperus communis Stem
Juniperus communis: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Juniperus communis Landscape
Juniperus communis: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Juniperus communis: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Juniperus communis: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Juniperus communis: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Juniperus communis: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
