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Juniperus osteosperma - Utah juniper

Scientific Family
Cupressaceae
Synonyms
J. knightii, J. megalocarpa, J. californica ssp. osteosperma and others see USDA Plant Database
Other common names
Little Utah juniper
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
Yes

Plant Description

Origin
Native
Similar species
J. monosperma, J. californica

A small tree, with a single trunk below the branches, crown rounded. Without fruiting material, the vegetation is nearly indistinguishable from that of J. monosperma. Important cover and shelter species for large mammals.

Similar to J. monosperma. Differentiating characteristics: trunks; woody seed cone and growth forms that are often single-trunked. Leaves mostly in 2's, sometimes 3's, glands on underside inconspicuous. Male, female cones on same tree.

Height
20 feet
Width
15 feet

Habitat

Habitat description

Rocky slopes, canyons, stream banks, in pure stands or mixed with ponderosa or pinyon pine and other juniper species.

Plant Community
Grasslands
Interior Chaparral
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Riparian
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
7500

Leaves

Leaf color
Yellowish-green
Leaf type
Scales
Leaf shape
Other
Leaf margin
Other
Leaf attachment
Other
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Evergreen

Small, compact, scale-like to 1/16 inch long, an inconspicuous resin gland present on the outer surface. Scales are tight to the twig in opposite pairs creating square twigs. On vigorous shoots a few are awl-like and point away from the twig.

Flowers

Tubular
No

Fruit

Fruit color
Blue to reddish-brown
Fruit type
Berry-like

Marble size berry-like cones to 3/4 inch in diameter Blue to reddish-brown with grayish waxy coating, 1 to 2 seeds per berry. Male cones small, pale yellow in large clusters at ends of twigs.

Bark/Branches

Bark color
Gray
Bark texture
Shreddy or peeling

Shaggy, stringy with very irregular furrows and scaly ridges. Has a defined trunk to 1-1/2 feet in diameter. Twigs are slender, initially covered with tight, yellowish-green, scale-like leaves and somewhat angular, later turning reddish-brown.