Alligator Juniper
Juniperus deppeana, Cypress Family: ( Cupressaceae ), Alligator Juniper. Also called: western juniper, checkered bark juniper.
An evergreen tree growing to 55 feet at a slow rate. It is in leaf all year and in flower from March to May. The seeds ripen from October to November. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female,
but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and they are pollinated by Wind.
Considered a Xeriscape Plant.
This is the largest Juniper in the area, and it occurs at the highest elevations.
Height: Up to 55 feet tall, 1 - 2 feet in diameter; with a short trunk and a wide spreading crown.
Flowers: Dioecious; males are small pale yellow in large clusters at ends of twigs; females are small, round pale green.
Flowering Time: March - May.
Leaves: Evergreen, scale-like, sharp and long pointed, tight to the twig in opposite pairs resulting in a slightly square twig, a few are awl-like pointing away from the twig; bluish green, sometimes with a white resin dot on backside.
Bark: Develops square blocking plates, giving it a checkered pattern. Square patches are dark gray with nearly black fissures; younger branches have scaly bark. Looks like alligator skin.
Fruit: Berry-like cones, round, 1/2 inch in diameter, reddish brown often with white glaucous bloom, scales often with a blunt point, 3 to 5 seeds per cone; mature in two growing seasons.
Found: Intermountain region of western North America.
Elevation: 4,500 - 9,000 Feet.
Habitat: Widely distributed in western North America, most often occurring in extensive pure stands. Central Arizona.
Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken at Payson.
