Rocky Mountain Juniper
Juniperus scopulorum, Cypress Family: ( Cupressaceae ), Rocky Mountain Juniper. Also called: Rocky Mountain Juniper, Colorado Redcedar.
A small, shrubby, evergreen tree or large bush up to 30 feet tall; typically it has a narrow, conical shape, opening when mature.
Height: Up to 30 feet tall with a 12 foot spread.
Buds: Buds monecious or dioecious; males are small pale yellow in clusters at the ends of the twigs; the females are small, round, and light green. Male flowers have only 6 stamens.
Bud Time: Mid March - May.
Leaves: Evergreen, deep green to blue-green, scale-like, in opposite pairs, no glands so leaves lack any resin; yellow-green. Branches and twigs are vertical. Needles are opposite and closely pressed to stem.
Bark: Reddish brown coloring, sometimes gray, exfoliating with irregular furrows and scaly ridges; stays thin.
Cones: Berry-like cones, round, 1/4 - 1/2 inch in diameter, bluish when young but turning reddish brown and dry when mature, usually 2 seeds per cone, (could have one), they mature over two growing seasons.
Seeds: One or two. Blue fruits.
Found: Eastern foothills of Rocky Mountains, North America.
Elevation: 3,500 to 7,500 Feet.
Habitat: Dry soil on rocky ridges.
Miscellaneous: Photos Taken Near Walnut Canyon National Monument Sinagua Ruins, Flagstaff, Arizona. September 01, 2009.
