Family: Cupressaceae
Author: Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don
Bibliography: A. B. Lambert, Descr. Pinus 2:17. 1824
Year: 1824
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Juniperus
Vegetable: False
Observations: N. Afghanistan to China
Description
The Flaky Juniper, scientifically known as Juniperus squamata, is a fascinating evergreen shrub rooted in the expansive and diverse landscapes stretching from northern Afghanistan to China. This resilient species is a proud member of the Cupressaceae family, which includes some of the most well-regarded coniferous trees and shrubs in the world.
First described by A.B. Lambert in 1824 in his seminal work “Descr. Pinus 2:17”, Juniperus squamata was authoritatively recognized through the efforts of Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don. This botanical lineage underscores the shrub’s place in a historical context and highlights its prominence in the field of botany.
Renowned for its rustic appearance, the Flaky Juniper captivates with its distinctively textured bark, which peels off in thin flakes—a feature that lends the plant its common name. This flaky bark, combined with its needle-like foliage, provides an enchanting visual texture that appeals to gardeners and landscapers alike. The foliage varies from green to a striking bluish hue, adding depth and color to gardens and natural settings throughout its native range.
The Flaky Juniper thrives in a variety of terrains and climates, which adds to its adaptability and popularity. It is particularly suited to rock gardens and alpine settings, where its hardy nature allows it to survive in less-than-ideal soil conditions and harsh climates. This adaptability makes it a valuable plant for use in decorative landscaping, where its unique appearance can be showcased to great effect.
In its native habitat, Juniperus squamata plays a crucial role in the ecosystem. It provides habitat and food for various wildlife species, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological stability of the regions where it is found. Its presence from northern Afghanistan through China highlights its extensive adaptability and showcases the diverse climatic and geographical conditions it can endure.
In summary, the Flaky Juniper (Juniperus squamata) is an evergreen shrub celebrated for its unique flaky bark and versatile foliage, inhabiting regions from northern Afghanistan to China. Recognized and classified from the works initiated by prominent botanists, this species holds significant ecological value while also being a prized choice in ornamental horticulture.
Common Names
Deu: blauzeder-wacholder, schuppenwacholder
Eng: flaky juniper, himalayan juniper, nepalese juniper, single-seed juniper, scaly-leaf nepal juniper
Hun: himalájai törpeboróka
Hin: pudma chundur
Fra: genévrier écallieux
Zho: 高山柏 (gao shan bai ), gao shan bai
Nob: himalayaeiner
Nno: himalayaeiner
En: Flaky juniper, Himalayan juniper, Nepalese juniper, Single-seed juniper, Scaly-leaf Nepal juniper
Zh: 高山柏 (gao shan bai ), Gao Shan Bai
Fr: Genévrier écallieux
De: Blauzeder-Wacholder, Schuppenwacholder
Hi: Pudma Chundur
Hu: Himalájai törpeboróka
Nb: Himalayaeiner
Nn: Himalayaeiner
Synonyms
- Juniperus squamata var. fargesii (Rehder & E.H.Wilson)
- Juniperus squamata var. meyeri (Rehder)
- Juniperus lemeeana (H.Lév. & Blin.)
- Juniperus squamata f. prostrata ((Hornibr.) Rehder)
- Juniperus kansuensis (Kom.)
- Sabina squamata ((D.Don) Antoine)
- Juniperus densa ((Carrière) Gordon)
- Juniperus pingii subsp. baimashanensis ((Y.F.Yu & L.K.Fu) Silba)
- Juniperus recurva var. densa (Carrière)
- Juniperus franchetiana (H.Lév. ex Kom.)
- Sabina squamata var. fargesii ((Rehder & E.H.Wilson) L.K.Fu & Y.F.Yu)
- Juniperus squamata subsp. fargesii ((Rehder & E.H.Wilson) Silba)
- Juniperus baimashanensis (Y.F.Yu & L.K.Fu)
- Juniperus squamata var. parvifolia (Y.F.Yu & L.K.Fu)
- Juniperus squamata var. hongxiensis (Y.F.Yu & L.K.Fu)
- Juniperus fargesii ((Rehder & E.H.Wilson) Kom.)
- Juniperus recurva var. squamata ((D.Don) Parl.)
- Sabina kansuensis (Kom.)
- Juniperus squamata var. prostrata (Hornibr.)
- Sabina recurva var. densa ((Carrière) Antoine)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Assam (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Tibet (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Sweden (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2021 by Maria Maltez Sousa (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2022 by Sánchez Delgadillo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2021 by carla goncalves (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 13, 2021 by alixe20b (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Rodrigo Pampin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Grigore Grigore (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Rodrigo Pampin (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Rodrigo Pampin (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Feb 21, 2022 by Piñal Juan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 8, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Robin N (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Johnny Casasnovas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2022 by Charlene Knowlton (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Oğuzhan (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 11, 2022 by Michael Beales (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2022 by Nhz435 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 26, 2022 by maricarmen815 (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2684690)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262360-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Juniperus squamata Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Shrub
