Common Name: Black Juniper

General Information

Juniperus indica is an erect to procumbent, evergreen shrub, usually growing around 2 metres tall, sometimes growing taller and becoming more tree-like. At the higher elevations of its range it becomes a low-growing shrub[, , ]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. Products from the plant are sold in local markets. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
This species has a large range, is locally common in at least parts of its distribution and there are no known threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayan regions of Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and China (Xizang, Sichuan, Yunnan)

Habitat

Upper montane coniferous forest and woodland, sometimes forming pure stands, to alpine heath and grassland and into the bare moraines and scree of the niveous zone; at elevations from 3,600 - 4,800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Juniperus indica is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[]. The climate where it grows is high montane to alpine with a pronounced monsoon phase delivering heavy precipitation (much as snow) from May to October (Spring to early winter)[].
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil.
Black Juniper is probably rare in cultivation, often listed as Juniperus wallichiana or Juniperus pseudosabina; the first being a synonym and the latter a closely related species from Central Asia[].
The recently discovered variety Juniperus indica var. caespitosa is a decumbent form suitable as a ground cover in the rock gardens, but not yet in cultivation. The growth habit of the species is erect, but varies from shrub to small tree. Both forms are commendable for horticulture, but slow growing. In the Himalayas, where Black Juniper is common and widespread[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The fruits are eaten as a treatment for fevers and headaches[].
The fruits are used as an elixir and are also considered to be beneficial for the heart and to relax the mind[]

The leaves and fruits are used in the treatment of kidney disorders, skin disease, fevers, coughs, colds, wounds, and in paralysis of limbs[].
A powder of the leaves and fruits is taken with milk to treat coughs and colds, tonsillitis, headaches, malarial fever, neck pain and to lower blood pressure[]

The leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhoea, constipation, asthma, fever, gout, rheumatism, lymph disorder (‘chuser’) and sores[].

An essential oil obtained from the leaves and fruits is antiseptic and diuretic[].

Other Uses

The leaves yield 0.27 - 0.80% essential oil and the fruits 0.8 - 1.6%. The main components are sabinene (19.4 - 31.3%), beta-thujone (4.5 - 25.8%), terpinen-4-ol (3.7 - 13.0%) and trans-sabinyl acetate (7.6 - 24.3%). The oil is used in fragrance compounding, to scent pharmaceutical and technical preparations, as well as in cosmetic products such as soaps, room sprays, disinfectants etc[].

The leaves and twigs are highly valued for use as an incense[]. They are burned as incense in Buddhist temples[, ].

The dried leaves are used as tinder to start fires as they easily catch light[]

The tree trunks are very durable and are used as poles while building houses[].
The wood is used for fuel in high altitude settlements, and is especially valued in the treeless arid region and pasture areas,[, ].

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. The cuttings root easily[]. Plant out in the following autumn[, ].
Layering in September/early autumn. Takes 12 months[].