Family: Cupressaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1039 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Juniperus
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A., Mexico (Coahuila)
Description
Red juniper, botanically known as Juniperus virginiana, is a versatile conifer that thrives across a diverse range of geographical locations. Predominantly native to southeastern Canada, this resilient species has also established itself throughout the central and eastern United States, extending its reach as far south as Coahuila in Mexico. Celebrated within its domain family, Cupressaceae, red juniper was first documented in scientific literature in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus.
This hardy evergreen is characterized by its aromatic timber and needle-like foliage, which ranges in color from a vibrant green to a deep, bluish-green hue. The foliage, sometimes taking a scale-like form, further distinguishes the red juniper with its dense and intricate texture. The tree’s bark is another defining feature, with its reddish-brown color and the ability to peel off in thin strips, providing both aesthetic and functional qualities.
Red juniper plays a vital ecological role in its native habitats, offering food and protection to various wildlife species. Its berries, which mature to a rich, blue-purple hue, are a favored source of nourishment for numerous birds and small mammals. The dense canopy provides excellent year-round shelter, ensuring that creatures large and small can find refuge from both predators and the elements.
The wood of the red juniper is highly valued for its durability and resistance to decay, making it a preferred material for outdoor construction projects, such as fence posts and decking. Its easy-to-work-with nature also makes it a popular choice for crafting furniture and ornamental objects. Additionally, the aromatic properties of red juniper wood have long been harnessed by indigenous cultures for medicinal and ceremonial purposes.
Red juniper’s adaptability to various soil types and environmental conditions further underscores its robustness. Whether thriving in rocky bluffs, sandy plains, or wooded slopes, this species exemplifies resilience. Its ability to tolerate and even prosper in adverse conditions has made it a reliable candidate for land reclamation and erosion control efforts.
In summary, Juniperus virginiana is a remarkable species that holds significant ecological, economic, and cultural value. Its widespread presence from Canada through the United States to Mexico showcases its adaptability and importance as a key component of various landscapes, making it a distinguished member of the Cupressaceae family.
Common Names
Dan: blyant-ene
Eng: eastern red-cedar, eastern redcedar, pencil cedar, pencil-cedar, red cedar juniper, red juniper, red-cedar, redcedar, southern redcedar, virginia juniper, eastern red cedar, virginian juniper, eastern juniper, red cedar, virginia cedar
Fra: genévrier de virginie, cèdre rouge, genévrier de la virginie, genévrier rouge, genévrier silicole, savin
Nld: rode ceder
Deu: rote zeder, rotzeder, südlicher wacholder, virginischer wacholder
Hun: virginiai boróka
Swe: blyerts-en
Slk: borievka virgínska
Spa: cedro rojo
Por: cedro vermelho, cedro-da-virgínia, cedro-de-lápis, cedro-vermelho, junípero-da-virgínia
Ita: ginepro della virginia
Ces: jalovec virginský
Afr: potloodseder, rooiseder
Rus: можжевельник виргинский (mozhzhevel’nik virginskij)
Zho: 北美圆柏 (bei mei yuan bai)
En: Red juniper, Pencil-cedar, Virginia juniper, Eastern red-cedar, Red-cedar, Eastern redcedar, American Juniper, Eastern red cedar, Eastern Juniper, Pencil Cedar, Red Cedar, Redcedar, Southern Redcedar, Red cedar juniper, Virginian Juniper, Virginia cedar, Tenessee red Juniper
Af: Potloodseder, Rooiseder
Hy: Գիհի վիրգինյան
Az: Virciniya ardıcı
Eu: Virginiako ipuru
Be: Ядловец віргінскі
Bg: Вирджинска хвойна
Zh: Bei mei yuan bai, 北美圆柏, 北美圓柏, 北美圆柏 (bei mei yuan bai)
Cs: Jalovec virginský
Da: Blyant-Ene
Nl: Rode ceder, Virginische Jeneverbes
Et: Virgiinia kadakas
Fi: Kynäkataja
Fr: Cèdre rouge, Savin, Genévrier de Virginie, Genévrier de la Virginie, Genévrier rouge, Genévrier silicole, Cèdre de Virginie
De: Virginischer Wacholder, Rote Zeder, Rotzeder, Südlicher Wacholder, Virginischer Sadebaum
He: ערער ורגיאני
Hu: Virginiai boróka
Is: Blýantseinir
Ga: Céadras dearg
It: Ginepro della Virginia, Cedro della Virginiana
Ko: Yeonpilhyangnamu, 연필향나무
Lt: Virgininis kadagys
Fa: جونیپروس ویرجینیانا
Pl: Jałowiec wirginijski
Pt: Cedro vermelho, Cedro-da-virgínia, Cedro-de-lápis, Cedro-vermelho, Junípero-da-virgínia
Ru: Можжевельник виргинский, Можжевельник виргинский (mozhzhevel’nik virginskij)
Sr: Вирџинијска клека
Sk: Borievka virgínska
Es: Cedro rojo, Sabina colorada, Sabina de Virginia
Sv: Blyerts-en
Tr: Kurşun kalem ardıcı
Uk: Яловець віргінський
Synonyms
- Juniperus foetida var. virginiana ((L.) Spach)
- Sabina virginiana ((L.) Antoine)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Bulgaria (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Hungary (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Korea (introduced)
- Lesotho (introduced)
- Romania (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2017 by Moritz Peikert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 29, 2020 by Janie Julien-Fort (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Montamarta Prieto Gonzalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2014 by EOL − srall (cc-by-nc)
Bark
Taken Oct 29, 2019 by Elie sebbah (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Blue Tarpalechee (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 28, 2015 by EOL − dctr (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 4, 2021 by chuck martin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2016 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 1, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 24, 2016 by EOL − tanakawilliam_112 (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 15, 2009 by EOL − Peter Gorman (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2016 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 22, 2009 by EOL − Peter Gorman (cc-by-nc-sa)
Fruit
Taken Nov 23, 2014 by EOL − rmring93 (cc-by-nc)
Taken Dec 23, 2021 by Montamarta Prieto Gonzalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 6, 2015 by EOL − laurenupadhyay (cc-by-nc)
Other
Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2010 by EOL − Robert Gundy [email protected] (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 9, 2022 by Poveda Octey (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Feb 24, 2013 by EOL − Suzanne Cadwell (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 24, 2013 by EOL − Suzanne Cadwell (cc-by-nc)
Taken Mar 8, 2016 by EOL − Erika Mitchell (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 28, 2015 by EOL − aln2w (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 12, 2013 by EOL − Ben VanderWeide (cc-by-nc)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2684391)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:132551-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Juniperus virginiana L.)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Stem
Growth habit: Tree
Growth rate: Slow
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 4.7