Juniperus ashei

February 8, 2014 by pippadallas 1 Comment

Family: Cupressaceae

Genus: Juniperus

Species: ashei

Traditional/ Medicinal uses:

Ash Junipers/Cedars/Blueberry Junipers are abundant in the Texas Hill Country. The evergreen plants are dioecious (plants are either male or female). The difference is obvious during the winter/spring when the males are covered in small cones full of pollen and the females are decorated with bright blue berries. The plants range in size from small shrub to relatively large tree.  Recently they have moved into the prairie areas of the hill country. The fast growing junipers choke out slower growing trees native to these areas (such as live oaks). The thick growth of cedars reduces the available low-growing vegetation for browsing animals.

Male trees:

Female trees:

 

Sources:

Juniperus ashei (Ashe juniper) | NPIN

Juniperus ashei – US Forest Service

Biology and ecology of Ashe juniper – Texas Natural Resources Server

Juniperus ashei – Texas Native Plants Database