Juniperus squamata

Juniperus squamata, the flaky juniper, or Himalayan juniper is a species of coniferous shrub in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to the Himalayas and China. It represents the provincial tree of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (unofficial). Description It is an evergreen shrub (rarely a small tree) reaching tall (rarely 15 m), with flaky brown bark, and a prostrate to irregularly-conical crown. The leaves are broad, needle-like, long, arranged in six ranks in alternating whorls of three, and often strongly a glaucous blue-green in color. The cones are berry-like, globose to ovoid, 4–9 mm long, and 4–6 mm diameter. Often, they are a glossy black and contain one seed; they are mature in about 18 months. The male cones are 3–4 mm long and shed their pollen in early spring. It is largely dioecious, with pollen and seed cones produced on separate plants, but occasionally monoecious. Taxonomy Three to five varieties are accepted, with treatment differing between different authors: Juniperus squamata var. squamata – leaves mostly 5–9 mm. Throughout the standard range. Juniperus squamata var. fargesii Rehder & E.H.Wilson – leaves mostly 3–5 mm. Confined to the eastern half of the range in China. Juniperus squamata var. hongxiensis Y.F.Yu & L.K.Fu; often included in var. squamata. Juniperus squamata var. parviflora Y.F.Yu & L.K.Fu; often included in var. squamata.