Taxonomy
Juniperus communis | Juniper | Aiteal
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not protected
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Flowers: May-June; small yellow or green flowers
Fruits: Fleshy black cones when mature, resembling berries
Twigs & bark: Evergreen, twigs pale brown; bark reddish
brown
Habitat
Limestone pavement, heaths, lakeshores, acidic to basic soils
Life cycle
Perennial
Ex-situ conservation
Not known
Use
Food crop
Vegetative nature
Woody
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Occasional, mainly in west and north.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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Further information
Juniper has an extensive native range. It is the only circumpolar conifer in the northern hemisphere. It is found in a wide variety of conditions from poor acid heaths to calcareous rocky slopes. The berries are tradionally used to flavour game and alcholic drink such as gin. The word "gin" derives from an old french word meaning "juniper'.