Common Name: Californian Juniper

General Information

Juniperus californica is an evergreen shrub or a tree with a rounded crown; it usually grows 1 - 4.5 metres tall, occasionally reaching 12 metres. The plant is usually multi-stemmed, though occasionally has only the single stem[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an onamental in gardens and is used as a 'Christmas Tree'[].
Juniperus californica is widespread in the drier habitats of California and is not declining. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

South-western N. America - California, Nevada, Arizona, northern Mexico.

Habitat

Dry rocky, gravelly or sandy soils on dry mountain slopes and hills; at elevations from 120 - 1,200 metres[, ]. Locally common in desert scrubland, extending into chaparral and open Pine woodland in somewhat more mesic sites[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Juniperus californica is adapted to one of the driest habitats in which Juniperus can still survive well[]. In much of its range there is a long, dry summer period and rains occur only in winter, in some interior desert valleys rain is erratic and in these areas the junipers may be associated with deeper water sources in alluvial fans[]. The plant requires hot summers and generally does not thrive in moist climates, even where the winters are mild[, ]. In dry climates it is able to tolerate temperatures down to around -8°c when dormant[].
Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[, , ]. Established plants are drought tolerant, succeeding in hot dry positions[]. The plant can occur on barren serpentine or among granite boulders but is not found in rock crevices, as it needs (coarse) alluvial material to spread its roots[].
A slow-growing and generally long-lived tree[].
The plant is occasionally used in garden landscaping, and could make an attractive ornamental shrub in hot, dry climates[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A thick, sweet, dry, fibrous and non-resinous flesh[, ]. It can also be dried and ground into a powder then used as a flavouring in various dishes or eaten as a mush[, , , , ]. The fruit is produced abundantly in the wild, though it is unlikely to be freely produced in Britain[]. The bluish-brown, globose cones are about 7 - 20mm in diameter, maturing in their first year[, ].

Medicinal

The scorched twigs have been rubbed on the body in the treatment of fits[].

The leaves are analgesic, diaphoretic and hypotensive[]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of high blood pressure, coughs and colds and to bring relief from a hangover (the bark was also used in this case)[]. It has also been taken by pregnant women just prior to childbirth in order to relax the muscles[].

Other Uses

The wood is soft, close grained, durable in contact with the soil. It is used for fencing and fuel[, ].

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[, ]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[]. 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[].
Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/early autumn in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[, ].
Layering in September/early autumn. Takes 12 months[].