Juniperus osteosperma Family: Cupressaceae – Cypress Family Juniperus osteosperma is the only species from this family represented at Arches National Park. Evergreen tree - conifer; 6.6' to 13.2' (2 to 4 m) tall Leaves: scalelike or awl-shaped; evergreen; leaves typically opposite; leaves have a conspicuous resin gland on the back Flowers: conifer (see cone description under fruits) Pollinators: wind; not self-fertile Fruits: staminate (male) cones brown at the terminal ends or in joints between the leaf and stem 0.12” to 0.16” (3 to 4 mm) long; ovulate (female) cones becoming blue at maturity and look berrylike 0.24” to 0.48” (6 to 12 mm) thick or more Blooms in Arches National Park: March, April, May Habitat in Arches National Park: riparian, desert shrub and pinyon-juniper communities Location seen: widespread Other: The genus name, “Juniperus”, is the Latin name for "juniper" and the species name, “osteosperma”, comes from the Greek and means "hard or bony seed". The bark is shreddy. The oldest Utah juniper in Utah has been aged at more than 1275 years. |
Last updated: December 12, 2022