Family: Cupressaceae
Juniper
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Key to Wisconsin Juniperus
Author: John G. Zaborsky
- 1a.Leaves in whorls of 3, all awl-like, articulated at the base, not decurrent; female cones on very short peduncles, axillary J. communis
- 1b.Leaves mostly opposite, awl-like (these whorled but not articulated, decurrent at the base) or scale-like; female cones on short peduncles, terminal 2
- 2a.Prostrate trailing shrubs; cones on arched or recurved peduncles; leaves apiculate at the apex J. horizontalis
- 2b.Erect small trees; cones on straight, ascending peduncles; leaves obtuse to acute at the apex J. virginiana
The cones in this genus are bluish, glaucous, and resemble berries; they are used to flavor gin. Plants can often be found with orange galls caused by a rust fungus of the genus Gymnosporangium, which also infects apples.
