PNW Native
Distinct shrub, rarely grows above 5 ft. tall, forms matlike clumps known as krummholz, with thin, reddish-brown bark. Leaves are prickly, needlelike, in groups of 3, ¼ - ¾ in. long, and joined to the branch. Female cones are berry-like and mature from green to blue-black with a white bloom. (1)
The range of common juniper is circumpolar in the northern hemisphere. (2)
Common juniper grows in gravelly ridges, outcrops, dry and open woods, and lowland bogs, but it thrives in alpine environments. The term ‘common’ arises from this juniper being the only circumpolar conifer of the northern hemisphere, and it is the most common juniper species worldwide. (1)
Berry-like juniper cones are eaten by many species of birds and mammals including the black-capped chickadee, the American robin, waxwings, and wild turkey. The shrub provides important cover for small mammals and birds. It contains terpinene-4-ol, which is a volatile oil that is known to increase kidney action in humans. (2) Common juniper foliage may be poisonous to domestic livestock that do not tend to browse it.
Juniper berries were used by Northwest coast natives to make brown dye. Juniper berries, and infusions/decoctions made from roots, bark, and/or boughs served widespread medicinal purposes: including laxative, during childbirth, tuberculosis, colds, fevers, pneumonia, to ease muscle pains, arthritis, kidney problems, and an eye wash. The Nlaka’pamux name for common juniper, "mlámns e x kwísit", translates to “medicine for childbirth” and was taken to accelerate uterine contractions and delivery of the baby. This tea was used with caution, as drinking it too early could trigger miscarriage. A decoction was used as a spiritually protective wash for hunters, those warding off illness and death (Okanogan tribe), and for babies to ward off fever and witchcraft (Sahaptin tribe). (3)
Eurasians similarly used tonics made from common juniper to treat kidney issues, stomach ailments, and rheumatism, and used the toxic juniper extract to preserve meat and make gin. (2)
Common juniper is valuable in long-term rehabilitation projects and is good at preventing soil erosion, espescially in arctic and subarctic ecosystems. It is not commercially-valuable, despite having durable, fine grained, and reddish wood. It is, however, valued as an ornamental and provides good ground cover on sites regardless of soil type. (2)
MacKinnon, A., & Pojar, J. (1994). Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska. Lone Pine Publishing : Partners Publishing : B.C. Ministry of Forests.
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Juniperus communis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/juncom/all.html [2020, July 1].
Turner, N. J. (2015). Ancient pathways, ancestral knowledge: Ethnobotany and ecological wisdom of indigenous peoples of Northwestern North America. McGill-Queen’s University Press.
