Common Junipers are spreading shrubs with stiff green needles that circle the stem in groups of three. They often form a low-lying mat but can grow to 3-4 ft tall. The bark is thin and often sheds in thin strips. What appear to be blue berries are actually cones with very tightly packed miniature scales. They have been used in cooking and for medicinal purposes but are best known as the flavoring for gin.
Common Junipers grow well on dry, rocky sites with lots of light. They're extremely hardy and can be found world-wide, growing in a wide range of different habitats.
Could it be? Rocky Mountain Junipers are trees and have scale-like needles in overlapping pairs.
Did you know? Birds enjoy the fleshy covering on the cones and play an important role in propagating further plants as the seeds only germinate once the fleshy covering has dissolved.
See Also: Balsam Fir, Douglas-fir, Engelmann Spruce, Jack Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Spruce, Tamarack, Western Hemlock, Western Larch, Western Redcedar, Whitebark Pine
