''Juniperus thurifera'' (Spanish juniper) is a species of
juniper native to the
mountain
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually highe ...
s of the western
Mediterranean region
In biogeography, the Mediterranean Basin (; also known as the Mediterranean Region or sometimes Mediterranea) is the region of lands around the Mediterranean Sea that have mostly a Mediterranean climate, with mild to cool, rainy winters and wa ...
, from southern
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
(including
Corsica) across eastern and central
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
to
Morocco
Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria t ...
and locally in northern
Algeria
)
, image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg
, map_caption =
, image_map2 =
, capital = Algiers
, coordinates =
, largest_city = capital
, relig ...
.
[Adams, R. P. (2004). ''Junipers of the World''. Trafford. ][Farjon, A. (2005). ''Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys''. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ]
It is a large
shrub or
tree
In botany, a tree is a perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, usually supporting branches and leaves. In some usages, the definition of a tree may be narrower, including only woody plants with secondary growth, plants that are ...
reaching tall, with a trunk up to in diameter and a broadly conical to rounded or irregular crown. The foliage is strongly aromatic with a spicy-resinous scent. The
leaves are of two forms: juvenile needle-like leaves long on seedlings and irregularly on adult plants, and adult-scale leaves 0.6–3 mm long on older plants; they are arranged in decussate opposite pairs. It is
dioecious with separate male and female plants. The
cones
A cone is a three-dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a flat base (frequently, though not necessarily, circular) to a point called the apex or vertex.
A cone is formed by a set of line segments, half-lines, or lines conn ...
are berry-like, 7–12 mm in diameter, blue-black with a whitish waxy bloom, and contain 1–4
seed
A seed is an embryonic plant enclosed in a protective outer covering, along with a food reserve. The formation of the seed is a part of the process of reproduction in seed plants, the spermatophytes, including the gymnosperm and angiospe ...
s; they are mature in about 18 months. The male cones are 3–4 mm long, and shed their pollen in early spring.
[Ecology and conservation of ''Juniperus thurifera']
''Juniperus thurifera'' website
/ref>[Gymnosperm Database]
There are two varieties
Variety may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats
* Variety (radio)
* Variety show, in theater and television
Films
* ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont
* ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
, regarded as distinct by some authors,[ but not by others:][
*''Juniperus thurifera'' var. ''thurifera''. Spain, France. Mature cones 8–12 mm, with 2–4 seeds.
*''Juniperus thurifera'' var. ''africana'' Maire. Morocco, Algeria. Mature cones 7–8 mm, with 1–2 seeds.
Overall, the species is not considered threatened with healthy population in Spain;] however, the African population is threatened by severe overgrazing
Overgrazing occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods. It can be caused by either livestock in poorly managed agricultural applications, game reserves, or nature res ...
, mainly by goat
The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the a ...
s, and is listed as Endangered.[
The largest Spanish Juniper forest in Europe is in the Sierra de Solorio.El Sabinar más extenso de Europa]
/ref>
left, upTwigs with berries
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1510186
thurifera
Flora of North Africa
Flora of Spain
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Dioecious plants