Juniperous indica

Juniperous indica

Common Name: Black juniper

Local Name: धुपी

Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae

Order: Cupressales

Family : Cupressaceae

Genus: Juniperus

Species: indica

 

Distribution :

Juniperus indica, black juniper, is a juniper native to the high altitude regions of the Himalayas, found in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China.

In southern Tibet, this  is known as one of the tallest woody plant, reported to grow to 5,200 m (17,100 ft). The lower limit he is 2,600 m (8,500 ft).

It is a shrub 50-200 cm tall, branched mainly horizontally. The leaves are dark grey-green and dimorphic, with mostly scaly leaves 1 to 3 mm (1⁄16 to 1⁄8 in) long on adult plants and mostly 5 to 8 inches long on young plants. It has needle-like leaves of mm. However, needle-like leaves are also found on shady shoots of adult plants. The leaves grow in his three whorls on a strong, stout main stem and are oppositely paired on a thinner, slower-growing stem. It is dioecious, with male (pollen) and female (seed) cones on separate plants. Mature cones are ovate, berry-like, 6–10 mm long, glossy black, and contain a single seed. The seeds are spread by birds, who eat the cones, digest the fleshy cone pulp, and excrete the seeds in their faeces.

 Description:

Juniperus indica is an erect to recumbent evergreen shrub, usually about 2 meters tall, sometimes taller and more tree-like. It becomes a low-growing shrub at higher elevations in its range.

This plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of medicine and ingredients. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant.

This species has a wide range, is locally distributed over at least part of that range, and poses no known threats. This plant is listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

 Uses:

1.       The fruit is eaten as a remedy for fevers and headaches.

2.       Branches and leaves are burned as incense in Buddhist temples.

3.       Wood is used as fuel.