Juniperus communis
L.
Cupressaceae
Juniperus albanica Pénzes
Juniperus alpina Gray
Juniperus alpina Hill
Juniperus argaea Balansa ex Parl.
Juniperus borealis Salisb.
Juniperus caesia Regel
Juniperus canadensis Lodd. ex Burgsd.
Juniperus caucasica Fisch. ex Gordon
Juniperus compressa Carrière
Juniperus cracovia K.Koch
Juniperus dealbata Loudon
Juniperus depressa (Pursh) Raf.
Juniperus depressa Raf.
Juniperus depressa Stevels
Juniperus difformis Gilib.
Juniperus duplicata Göpp.
Juniperus echinoformis Rinz ex Bolse
Juniperus elliptica K.Koch
Juniperus fastigiata Knight
Juniperus hartwissiana Sperk
Juniperus hartwissiana Steven ex Köppen
Juniperus hemisphaerica C.Presl
Juniperus hibernica Lodd. ex Loudon
Juniperus hispanica Booth ex Endl.
Juniperus intermedia Schur
Juniperus interrupta H.L.Wendl. ex Endl.
Juniperus jackii (Rehder) R.P.Adams
Juniperus kanitzii Csató
Juniperus microphylla Antoine
Juniperus montana (Aiton) Lindl. & Gordon
Juniperus nana Willd.
Juniperus niemannii E.L.Wolf
Juniperus nipponica Maxim.
Juniperus oblonga M.Bieb.
Juniperus oblonga-pendula (Loudon) C.Van Geert ex K.Koch
Juniperus oblongopendula Loudon ex Beissn.
Juniperus occidentalis Carrière
Juniperus oxycedrus hemisphaerica (J.Presl & C.Presl) E.Schmid
Juniperus pygmaea K.Koch
Juniperus rebunensis Kudô & Sasaki
Juniperus reflexa Gordon
Juniperus rigida nipponica (Maxim.) Franco
Juniperus saxatilis Lindl. & Gordon
Juniperus sibirica Burgsd.
Juniperus suecica Mill.
Juniperus taurica Lindl. & Gordon
Juniperus uralensis Beissn.
Juniperus vulgaris Bubani
Juniperus withmanniana Carrière
Sabina dealbata (Loudon) Antoine
Sabina multiova Goodwyn
Thuiaecarpus juniperinus Trautv.
Common Name: Juniper
General Information
Juniperus communis is a very variable, evergreen shrub or a tree with an erect stem; it can grow up to 12 metres tall, though it is more commonly within the range 1 - 3 metres. The branches can be erect or spreading, so crown shape is very variable[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The plant has a long history of traditional uses as a food flavouring, medicine and source of materials, and is still often used as a flavouring (especially in gin) and medicine. It is a commonly used medicinal herb in India, where it is gathered in large quantities from the wild for local use and for trade[
2020- Title
- Trade in Indian Medicinal Plants
- Publication
- Ethnobotany of India Vol 5., 321-345, 2018
- Author
- D.K.Ved, S.Noorunnisa Begum, & K.Ravi Kumar
- Publisher
- Apple Academic Press; Oakville, Canada
- Year
- 2018
- ISBN
- 978-1-77188-600-0
- Description
-
]. The plant is also commonly grown as an ornamental - a wide range of cultivated forms have been developed some of them suitable for use as hedges or ground cover.
This is the most widespread species of conifer in the world. While it is struggling to survive in some areas, e.g. England, it is increasing elsewhere; both phenomena in its population dynamics are related to shifts in agricultural practices and general land use. Globally, this species or any of its varieties are not threatened with extinction. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
The essential oil in this plant contains thujone[
293- Title
- Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes.
]. Thujone is a GABA receptor antagonist which allows neurons to fire more easily. In larger doses this can cause muscle spasms and convulsions, and can also be toxic to brain, kidney, and liver cells.
There has been a lot of negative press regarding thujone, particularly in the mid 19th century when thujone was reported to be more dangerous than alcohol - since shown to be exaggerated; and reports in the 1970’s that it might have a similar effect on the brain to THC (found in cannabis) – since found to be incorrect.
Thujone is probably best known for its use in the alcoholic drink ‘Absinthe’. It is also found in the essential oils of many other plants that are used in herbal medicines and foods, including Arborvitae (Thuja species), some Junipers (Juniperus species), Wormwoods (especially Artemisia absinthium) and Sage (Salvia officinalis). There are some legal restrictions in various countries on the quantity of thujone that can be added to foods and drinks and these vary between countries.
Side effects from consuming thujone can include sleeplessness and anxiety but, unless the pure essential oil is used, the quantity of thujone found in plants is well within safety levels. Pregnant women, however, may be advised to restrict their use of thujone-containing plants.
Juniper should not be used internally in any quantities by pregnant women[
65- Title
- A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J.
- Publisher
- Wolfe
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0723408394
- Description
- Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.
,
165- Title
- The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mills. S. Y.
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent small herbal.
].
Botanical References
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
17- Title
- Flora of the British Isles.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Clapham, Tutin and Warburg.
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
,
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
Widespread through the Northern temperate zone, south to the mountains of N. Africa, the Himalayas, Korea and southern N. America
Habitat
Pine woods, moorland, calcareous river banks; more rarely mossy, bogs, among undergrowth of deciduous and mixed woods, dry hills, and dry mountain slopes[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Edibility Rating | |
Medicinal Rating | |
Other Uses Rating | |
Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
Height | 9.00 m |
Growth Rate | Slow |
Pollinators | Wind |
Self-fertile | No |
Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Juniperus communis is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -40°c when fully dormant. However, although the fully dormant plant is very cold-tolerant, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in hot dry soils and in poor soils. This species seems very indifferent to soil type and occurs in dry sand, chalk downs, and loose (dolomitic) scree, as well as in acidic peat, with low or fluctuating ground water levels[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. Succeeds in most soils so long as they are well drained[
186- Title
- Planting Native Trees and Shrubs.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Beckett. G. and K.
- Publisher
- Jarrold
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants.
], preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Does well in chalky soils[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates a pH range from 4 to 8[
186- Title
- Planting Native Trees and Shrubs.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Beckett. G. and K.
- Publisher
- Jarrold
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants.
]. Succeeds in light woodland but dislikes heavy shade[
186- Title
- Planting Native Trees and Shrubs.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Beckett. G. and K.
- Publisher
- Jarrold
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants.
]. Established plants are very tolerant of drought[
186- Title
- Planting Native Trees and Shrubs.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Beckett. G. and K.
- Publisher
- Jarrold
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants.
].
All parts of the plant are very aromatic[
245- Title
- Scented Flora of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Genders. R.
- Publisher
- Robert Hale. London.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
- 0-7090-5440-8
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
].
Juniper is a very polymorphic species that has a long history of culinary and medicinal use[
244- Title
- Herbs
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips. R. & Foy. N.
- Publisher
- Pan Books Ltd. London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-330-30725-8
- Description
- Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
]. It is frequently grown in the ornamental and herb garden, there is a huge range of cultivars of widely diverse habits[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
,
81- Title
- Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rushforth. K.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7470-2801-X
- Description
- Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
]. At least some forms tolerate maritime exposure[
186- Title
- Planting Native Trees and Shrubs.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Beckett. G. and K.
- Publisher
- Jarrold
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants.
], there is a thriving colony in an exposed position at Land's End in Cornwall[
81- Title
- Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rushforth. K.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7470-2801-X
- Description
- Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
].
The fruits take 2 - 3 years to ripen on the plant[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
Plants are usually very slow growing, often only a few centimetres a year[
186- Title
- Planting Native Trees and Shrubs.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Beckett. G. and K.
- Publisher
- Jarrold
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants.
].
Resists honey fungus[
88- Title
- The Garden. Volume 112.
- Publication
-
- Author
- RHS.
- Publisher
- Royal Horticultural Society
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Snippets of information from the magazine of the RHS. In particular, there are articles on plants that are resistant to honey fungus, oriental vegetables, Cimicifuga spp, Passiflora species and Cucurbits.
]. Plants are sometimes attacked by a rust, this fungus has an aecidial stage on hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Edible Uses
Some caution is advised when using this plant for food - see the notes above on toxicity.
Fruit - raw or cooked[
2- Title
- Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Hedrick. U. P.
- Publisher
- Dover Publications
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- 0-486-20459-6
- Description
- Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
,
5- Title
- Food for Free.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mabey. R.
- Publisher
- Collins
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0-00-219060-5
- Description
- Edible wild plants found in Britain. Fairly comprehensive, very few pictures and rather optimistic on the desirability of some of the plants.
,
9- Title
- Edible and Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Launert. E.
- Publisher
- Hamlyn
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-600-37216-2
- Description
- Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
,
15- Title
- Edible Ornamental Garden.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bryan. J. and Castle. C.
- Publisher
- Pitman Publishing
- Year
- 1976
- ISBN
- 0-273-00098-5
- Description
- A small book with interesting ideas for edible plants in the ornamental garden.
]. It is usually harvested in the autumn when fully ripe and then dried for later use[
12- Title
- Britain's Wild Larder.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P.
- Publisher
- David & Charles; Newton Abbot.
- Year
-
- ISBN
- 0-7153-7971-2
- Description
- A handy pocket guide.
]. A soft, mealy, sweet, resinous flesh[
82- Title
- Manual of the Trees of N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sargent. C. S.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Dover Publications Inc. New York.
- Year
- 1965
- ISBN
- 0-486-20278-X
- Description
- Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet.
]. The fruit is often used as a flavouring in sauerkraut, stuffings, vegetable pates etc, and is an essential ingredient of gin[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. The aromatic fruit is used as a pepper substitute according to one report[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. The bluish black, globose to ovoid seed cones mature in two years. They are of two distinct sizes, ranging from 6 - 13mm in diameter and containing 2 - 3 seeds[
270- Title
- Flora of N. America
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
].
An essential oil is sometimes distilled from the fruit to be used as a flavouring[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
]. Average yields are around 1%[
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
].
A tea is made by boiling the leaves and stems[
161- Title
- Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Yanovsky. E.
- Publisher
- U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
- Year
-
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader.
].
A tea made from the berries has a spicy gin-like flavour[
183- Title
- Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-0-9
- Description
- Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
].
Medicinal
Juniper fruits are commonly used in herbal medicine, as a household remedy, and also in some commercial preparations. They are especially useful in the treatment of digestive disorders plus kidney and bladder problems[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].
The fully ripe fruits are strongly antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, strongly diuretic, rubefacient, stomachic and tonic[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
7- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chiej. R.
- Publisher
- MacDonald
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-356-10541-5
- Description
- Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
9- Title
- Edible and Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Launert. E.
- Publisher
- Hamlyn
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-600-37216-2
- Description
- Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
,
21- Title
- The Herb Book.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lust. J.
- Publisher
- Bantam books
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
- 0-553-23827-2
- Description
- Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
,
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
165- Title
- The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mills. S. Y.
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An excellent small herbal.
,
240- Title
- Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
- Publisher
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
- Year
- 1986
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. They are used in the treatment of cystitis, digestive problems, chronic arthritis, gout and rheumatic conditions[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. They can be eaten raw or used in a tea[
222- Title
- A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Foster. S. & Duke. J. A.
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-395-46722-5
- Description
- A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
], but some caution is advised since large doses can irritate the urinary passage[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].
When made into an ointment, the fruits are applied to exposed wounds and prevent irritation by flies[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].
The fruits should not be used internally by pregnant women since this can cause an abortion[
9- Title
- Edible and Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Launert. E.
- Publisher
- Hamlyn
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-600-37216-2
- Description
- Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
]. The fruits also increase menstrual bleeding so should not be used by women with heavy periods[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
Externally, the plant is applied as a diluted essential oil, having a slightly warming effect upon the skin and is thought to promote the removal of waste products from underlying tissues[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. It is, therefore, helpful when applied to arthritic joints etc[
254- Title
- The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Chevallier. A.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley. London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 9-780751-303148
- Description
- An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Toxin elimination'[
210- Title
- Aromatherapy - A guide for home use.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Westwood. C.
- Publisher
- Amberwood Publishing Ltd
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0-9517723-0-9
- Description
- An excellent little pocket guide. Very concise.
].
The berries are used in homoeopathy to treat conditions such as catarrhal inflammation of the kidneys; dropsy, with suppression of urine; old persons, with poor digestion and scanty secretion of urine; chronic pyelitis[
].
Agroforestry Uses:
Many forms of this species are good ground cover plants for sunny situations[
208- Title
- Plants for Ground Cover
- Publication
-
- Author
- Thomas. G. S.
- Publisher
- J. M. Dent & Sons
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-460-12609-1
- Description
- An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
]. Forms to try include 'Depressa Aurea', 'Dumosa', 'Effusa', and 'Repanda'[
197- Title
- Ground Cover Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Royal Horticultural Society.
- Publisher
- Cassells.
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- 0-304-31089-1
- Description
- A handy little booklet from the R.H.S.
]. 'Prostrata' can also be used[
188- Title
- The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
- Publication
-
- Author
- Brickell. C.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-86318-386-7
- Description
- Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
].
Some forms can make useful low hedges[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
This is largely a pioneer woodland species, occupying natural rock outcrops and other places with skeletal soil and abundant sunlight in woodland and light forest, both broad-leaf and coniferous forest (especially Pinus sylvestris-Betula spp.-Quercus spp.), in which it can obtain local dominance after disturbances (non-fire). It is also prevalent in the ecotone between open woodland and grassland on poor sandy soils and on stabilised inland sand dunes[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. Although slow-growing, it can be used as a pioneer for restoring and establishing native woodland in more difficult terrains and also for establishing woodland gardens[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Because it is slow-growing, the plant has low value for short-term rehabilitation projects but moderate to high value for long-term projects. It is useful in preventing soil erosion and has potential for restoration in the Canadian arctic and subarctic[
1050- Title
- Fire Effects Information System
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.feis-crs.org/feis/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line information site with comprehensive information on over 1,100 species of plant. Mainly developed to supply information on the effects of fire on plants and animals, it also contains a wealth of other information on the plants
].
Other Uses
A decoction of the branches is used as an anti-dandruff shampoo[
172- Title
- Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Schofield. J. J.
- Publisher
- Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0882403699
- Description
- A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
].
Various extracts of the plant are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations for skin conditioning, antioxidants, perfumery etc[
].
A yellow dye is obtained from the unripe fruit[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The essential oil distilled from the fruits is used in perfumes with spicy fragrances[
238- Title
- Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bown. D.
- Publisher
- Dorling Kindersley, London.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-7513-020-31
- Description
- A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
In hot countries the tree yields the resin 'Sandarac' from incisions in the trunk[
4- Title
- A Modern Herbal.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Grieve.
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 0-14-046-440-9
- Description
- Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. This is used in the production of a white varnish[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The stems were at one time used as a strewing herb to sweeten the smell of rooms[
14- Title
- Complete Guide to Herbs.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Holtom. J. and Hylton. W.
- Publisher
- Rodale Press
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0-87857-262-7
- Description
- A good herbal.
,
244- Title
- Herbs
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips. R. & Foy. N.
- Publisher
- Pan Books Ltd. London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-330-30725-8
- Description
- Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
]. The whole plant can be burnt as an incense and fumigant[
66- Title
- From Agar to Zenery.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Freethy. R.
- Publisher
- The Crowood Press
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-946284-51-2
- Description
- Very readable, giving details on plant uses based on the authors own experiences.
,
102- Title
- Native Harvests.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kavasch. B.
- Publisher
- Vintage Books
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0-394-72811-4
- Description
- Another guide to the wild foods of America.
,
146- Title
- A Manual of Indian Timbers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Gamble. J. S.
- Publisher
- Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
- Year
- 1972
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. It was used during epidemics in the belief that it would purify the air and cleanse it of infection[
244- Title
- Herbs
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips. R. & Foy. N.
- Publisher
- Pan Books Ltd. London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-330-30725-8
- Description
- Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
].
Fresh or dried juniper branches also make a good insect repellent[
102- Title
- Native Harvests.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kavasch. B.
- Publisher
- Vintage Books
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- 0-394-72811-4
- Description
- Another guide to the wild foods of America.
,
172- Title
- Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Schofield. J. J.
- Publisher
- Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0882403699
- Description
- A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
].
The bark is used as cordage[
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
] and as a tinder[
172- Title
- Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Schofield. J. J.
- Publisher
- Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0882403699
- Description
- A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
].
The heartwood is reddish-yellow; the sapwood whitish. It is very close-grained, strong, hard, fragrant, very durable in contact with the soil. It is often too small to be of much use, though it is valued for lathework and sculpture, whilst it can also be used as fencing stakes[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
82- Title
- Manual of the Trees of N. America.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sargent. C. S.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
- Publisher
- Dover Publications Inc. New York.
- Year
- 1965
- ISBN
- 0-486-20278-X
- Description
- Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet.
,
229- Title
- The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Elias. T.
- Publisher
- Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.
- Year
- 1980
- ISBN
- 0442238622
- Description
- A very good concise guide. Gives habitats, good descriptions, maps showing distribution and a few of the uses. It also includes the many shrubs that occasionally reach tree proportions.
,
244- Title
- Herbs
- Publication
-
- Author
- Phillips. R. & Foy. N.
- Publisher
- Pan Books Ltd. London.
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-330-30725-8
- Description
- Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
,
245- Title
- Scented Flora of the World.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Genders. R.
- Publisher
- Robert Hale. London.
- Year
- 1994
- ISBN
- 0-7090-5440-8
- Description
- An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
].
The wood makes an excellent fuel[
66- Title
- From Agar to Zenery.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Freethy. R.
- Publisher
- The Crowood Press
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 0-946284-51-2
- Description
- Very readable, giving details on plant uses based on the authors own experiences.
]. It is used to make charcoal that is suitable for gunpowder[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
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[
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
,
81- Title
- Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rushforth. K.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm
- Year
- 1987
- ISBN
- 0-7470-2801-X
- Description
- Deals with conifers that can be grown outdoors in Britain. Good notes on cultivation and a few bits about plant uses.
]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
]. 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- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/early autumn in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
Layering in September/early autumn. Takes 12 months[
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].