Red Juniper. Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana L.
HABIT.—A medium-sized tree 30-40 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet; forming an irregular, pyramidal or rounded crown.
LEAVES.—Opposite, of two kinds: (1) sessile, scale-like, closely appressed, overlapping, 4-ranked, ovate, acute, 1/16 inch long, (2) sessile, awl-shaped, loosely arranged, 1/4-1/2 inch long. Persistent 5-6 years.
FLOWERS.—May; usually dioecious; minute; the staminate oblong-ovoid, composed of 4-6 shield-like scales, each bearing 4-5 yellow, globose pollen sacs; the pistillate ovoid, composed of about 3 pairs of flesh, bluish scales, united at the base and bearing 2 ovules.
FRUIT.—Autumn of first or second season; subglobose, berry-like strobile, about 1/4 inch in diameter, dark blue and glaucous; flesh sweet and resinous; seeds 2-3.
WINTER-BUDS.—Naked, minute.
BARK.—Twigs greenish to red-brown and smooth; thin, light red-brown on the trunk, exfoliating lengthwise into long, narrow, persistent strips, exposing the smooth, brown inner bark.
WOOD.—Light, soft, close-grained, brittle, weak, durable, very fragrant, dull red, with thin, whitish sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Occurs sparingly throughout the state; most abundant in the southern portion.