Common Name: Flaky Juniper

General Information

Juniperus squamata is an erect or procumbent, evergreen shrub or a small tree; it usually grows up to 4 metres tall, though forms up to 12 metres are known[]..
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens where there are many named varieties, some suitable for use as ground covers.
Juniperus squamata is a widespread and locally common species; in some areas subpopulations are likely to be increasing. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Asia - northern Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, China

Habitat

Subalpine coniferous forest, mixed woodland and thickets to alpine meadows, on calcareous to siliceous rocks, often predominant on moraines, scree slopes or rocky ridges, but also on gravelly flood plains; at elevations from 1,340 - 4,850 metres[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Juniperus squamata is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant[]. The climate is high montane to alpine with strong monsoon influence, which however diminishes towards the northeast of its range[].
Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[, ] and succeeding on
chalk[]. A drought tolerant plant once established, succeeding in hot dry positions[].
This species is closely allied to J. recurva[].
There are many named forms, selected for their ornamental value[]. The type species is very slow growing in Britain[] but the cultivar 'Meyeri' is somewhat faster and more successful.
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The black or bluish black, ovoid or subglobose seed cones are 4 - 8mm long and × 4 - 6mm wide, containing a single seed[]. We have seen no repots of any edibility.

Medicinal

The powdered plant is soaked for half an hour in water and then used for washing skin diseases[].

The young leafy shoots are used in the treatment of wind, blood and kidney disorders, fever, nasal bleeding, paralysis and skin diseases[]. They are used externally to treat wounds and conditions such as scabies[].

The seeds are useful in the treatment of lymph disorders, to increase the appetite and as an aid for sleep[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The cultivar 'Blue Carpet' can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[].

Other Uses

An essential oil obtained from the dried leaves and branches of the var fargesii is rich in the monoterpenoid compounds sabinene (35%); elemol (9%), terpinen-4-ol (7%), and alpha-pinene (17%). This oil has been shown to be significantly, but weakly, antifungal (against Colletotrichum species) and strongly insecticidal against the azalea lace bug (Stephanitis pyrioides)[].
Bunches of the leaves and stems are hung inside to act as an insect repellent[].,

The wood is very fragrant, it is used as a fuel and an incense[, , ]. The leaves are used as incense[].

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[].