Juniperus squamata
Common name: 
Singleseed Juniper
Flaky Juniper
gao shan bai
Pronunciation: 
ju-NIP-er-us skwa-MA-ta
Family: 
Cupressaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Conifer
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Conifer, evergreen shrubs, erect or procumbent, or small trees to 40 ft (12 m) tall; branches ascending or horizontally spreading. Leaves in whorls of 3, spreading or ascending, sometimes nearly appressed, needlelike, about 5-10 × 1 mm, slightly concave, with white stomatal bands on the inner surface. Male (pollen) cones ovoid. Seed cones black or bluish black when ripe, ovoid or subglobose, 4-8 × 4-6 mm, 1-seeded.
  • Sun, adaptable to dry soils, reportedly does not do well in high humidity and heat.  The species is rarely cultivated but its cultivars are used in landscapes.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4    Native to China, Afghanistan, Bhutan, northern India, Nepal and Pakistan, at 5,200-14,800 ft (1600-4500 m) elevation.
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