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Summary

Form: Prostrate, Pyramidal, Rounded, Variable height.

Physical Characteristics

Juniperus_oxycedrus is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

The plant yields the essential oil 'Oil of Cade' by destructive distillation of the wood[4]. It is used externally in the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis and chronic eczema[4]. It is a good parasiticide in cases of psora and favus[4]. Antiseptic[61].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

An oil distilled from the heartwood is used medicinally and as a parasiticide. It is also used as an immersion oil in microscope work[61].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Rock garden, Screen, Specimen. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[1, 11] and succeeding on chalk[200]. A drought tolerant plant once established, succeeding in hot dry positions[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Attracts birds, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. The seed has a hard seedcoat and can be very slow to germinate, requiring a cold period followed by a warm period and then another cold spell, each of 2 - 3 months duration[78, 81]. Soaking the seed for 3 - 6 seconds in boiling water may speed up the germination process[11]. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Some might germinate in the following spring, though most will take another year. Another possibility is to harvest the seed 'green' (when the embryo has fully formed but before the seedcoat has hardened). The seedlings can be potted up into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Grow on in pots until large enough, then plant out in early summer. When stored dry, the seed can remain viable for several years[1]. Cuttings of mature wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, September/October in a cold frame. Plant out in the following autumn[1, 78]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Iran (north), Iraq (north), Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Russian Federation (Krasnoyarsk) EUROPE: Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Juniperus oxycedrus	Prickly Juniper, Cade juniper	Tree	15.0	8-10	M	LMH	N	DM	0	1	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Expert comment

Author

Botanical References

1150200

Links / References

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Readers comment


	Feb 6 2011 12:00AM

My cousin uses an ointment in which the active ingredient is cade oil which is obtained from the distillation of the wood of Juniperus oxycedrus. She suffers from chronic and severe eczema and the use of this ointment has had successful results in reducing and providing relief of her eczema. Whilst researching this herbal ointment, others stated that the ointment could cause thinning of the skin and in extreme cases rotting of the bone. There were also instances were discontinued use caused problems to come back worse then when the medication was first used. This ointment should be used with caution and in the case of my cousin only small amounts were used when required. The ointment was not used on a regualr basis which could be a possible reason for the success she achieved with its use.

Juniperus_oxycedrus - L.