Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

common juniper Cupressaceae Juniperus communis L. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: JUCO6
Leaf: Persistent, linear-lanceolate (sword-like), about 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, and ternate (arranged in whorls of 3); white stomatal bloom above and green below; sessile (no petiole).
Flower: Species is mostly dioecious, rarely monoecious; male cones small, yellow and solitary; female cones small, round and solitary.
Fruit: Cones are small (about 1/4 inch diameter) and round with smooth, leathery scales; green when young and bluish black when mature, but always covered with white bloom, require 3 growing seasons to mature.
Twig: Slender, smooth, and often shiny; triangular between the nodes.
Bark: Mature bark is thin (less than 1/4 inch thick), shreddy, and red- to gray-brown.
Form: Most commonly grow as prostrate, mat-forming shrubs, but sometimes as upright shrubs or small trees.
 Looks like: Chinese juniper - creeping juniper - Ibuki juniper - shore juniper

common juniper leaf image
common juniper flower image
common juniper fruit image
common juniper twig image
common juniper bark image
common juniper form image
common juniper map image

Additional Range Information: Juniperus communis is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information