Common Name:

General Information

Juniperus komarovii is an evergreen tree with an open, irregular crown and drooping or pendulous branches; it can grow up to 20 metres tall. There is usually a single bole, which is straight and cylindrical[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as an incense.
This is a poorly known species. However, based on the extent of occurrence and remoteness of the area where it occurs it is assumed that there are no major 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 - central China ( Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan)

Habitat

Deep gorges and on rocky or grass-covered slopes in semi-arid mountains and plateaus[]. Forests, often as the dominant species, usually on dry, steep, sunny slopes; at elevations fom 2,110 - 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Juniperus komarovii is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[].

Edible Uses

Seed cones erect, purple-black or black when ripe, slightly glaucous, ovoid or subglobose, 8-10(-12) mm, 1-seeded[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The branches are used as incense in homes and monasteries[].

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