Juniperus californica aka California Juniper

Juniperus californica, or California juniper, is an evergreen conifer. It belongs to the cypress family, Cupressaceae. Its native range includes California, southern Nevada, and western Arizona. It also grows in Baja California and nearby Mexican islands. Wild plants grow on dry hills and mountain slopes. These sites have rocky, sandy, or gravelly soil.

It forms a large shrub or small tree with several trunks. Branches spread outward or rise to form a rounded, uneven crown. Oregon State gives a height of about 25 feet [8 metres]. Plants For A Future lists taller growth to 39 feet [12 metres]. Growth is slow, and trees can live a long time. The gray bark peels in thin strips and has reddish-brown furrows. Small, pale green scales cover the round young twigs. These leaves grow in pairs or groups of three. Each leaf has a gland on its back. Young plants can bear longer, pointed leaves instead. Older twigs turn reddish brown as their leaf cover ages.

Male and female cones usually grow on separate plants. The small male cones are pale yellow and cluster near twig tips. Female cones start pale green and round. Wind carries pollen between plants from February to April. Seed production requires both male and female plants. The fleshy seed cones look like berries but are not true fruits. Their blue waxy coat gives way to reddish brown at maturity. Each cone holds one or two seeds. Sources differ on ripening time, giving one or two growing seasons.

Grow this juniper in full sun and well-drained soil. It accepts sand, loam, or clay when drainage is good. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Established plants withstand drought and suit hot, dry sites. Sources place it in USDA zones 8–10. Cold tolerance alone does not ensure success in cool, damp gardens. Plants For A Future reports poor results from early British introductions. It suits rock gardens, screens, and planting for erosion control. Its wood serves as fence material and fuel.

Plants For A Future lists the fleshy cones as edible raw or cooked. Their flesh is sweet, dry, and fibrous. Dried flesh can be ground for use in food. The same source gives conflicting comments about their taste. It reports no known hazards, but does not establish pet safety. It records past medicinal uses of leaves, bark, and twigs. These records do not establish safe or effective treatment.