Juniperus thurifera

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Juniperus thurifera
Juniperus-thurifera-01.jpg
Juniperus thurifera at Prádena de la Sierra (Segovia, Spain)
Scientific classification
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J. thurifera
Binomial name
Juniperus thurifera

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Juniperus thurifera (Spanish juniper) is a species of juniper native to the mountains of the western Mediterranean region, from southern France (including Corsica) across eastern and central Spain to Morocco and locally in northern Algeria.[1][2]

It large shrub or tree reaching 6-20 m tall, with a trunk up to 2 m diameter and a broadly conical to rounded or irregular crown. The foliage is strongly aromatic, with a spicy-resinous scent. The leaves are of two forms, juvenile needle-like leaves 8-10 mm long on seedlings and irregularly on adult plants, and adult scale-leaves 0.6-3 mm long on older plants; they are arranged in decussate opposite pairs. It is dioecious with separate male and female plants. The cones are berry-like, 7-12 mm in diameter, blue-black with a whitish waxy bloom, and contain 1-4 seeds; they are mature in about 18 months. The male cones are 3-4 mm long, and shed their pollen in early spring.[1][2][3][4]

There are two varieties, regarded as distinct by some authors,[1][3] but not by others:[2]

  • Juniperus thurifera var. thurifera. Spain, France. Mature cones 8-12 mm, with 2-4 seeds.
  • Juniperus thurifera var. africana Maire. Morocco, Algeria. Mature cones 7-8 mm, with 1-2 seeds.

Overall, the species is not considered threatened with healthy population in Spain;[5] however, the African population is threatened by severe overgrazing, mainly by goats, and is listed as Endangered.[1][3]

In the Sierra de Solorio there is the largest Spanish Juniper forest in Europe.[6]

File:Juniperus thurifera.jpg
Close view of twig with berries

References and external links

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Adams, R. P. (2004). Junipers of the World. Trafford. ISBN 1-4120-4250-X
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Farjon, A. (2005). Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ecology and conservation of Juniperus thurifera Juniperus thurifera website
  4. Gymnosperm Database: Juniperus thurifera
  5. Conifer Specialist Group (1998). Juniperus thurifera. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
  6. El Sabinar más extenso de Europa