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Juniperus deppeana - Steudel.

Common Name Alligator Juniper
Family Cupressaceae
USDA hardiness 7-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open oak or pine woodlands[229] on dry, arid mountain slopes, 1200 - 1800 metres[82].
Range South-western N. America - Texas, Arizona and Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Juniperus deppeana Alligator Juniper


http://www.flickr.com/people/28340342@N08
Juniperus deppeana Alligator Juniper
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/

 

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Summary

Form: Oval, Weeping.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Juniperus deppeana is an evergreen Tree growing to 18 m (59ft 1in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to March, and the seeds ripen from October to November. 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

J. pachyphlaea. J. deppeana pachyphlaea. (Torr.)Martinez.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[85, 161, 183]. A dry and mealy texture[82, 181] but with a sweet and palatable taste[2, 181]. The fruit can also be dried, ground into a meal and prepared as a mush or cakes[95, 105, 183]. The fruit has a sweetish palatable pulp and is about 15mm in diameter[183]. The cones take 2 years to mature[200].

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood

Wood - light, soft, not strong, brittle, close grained[82]. Although easily worked, it is of limited value as lumber and is used mainly for fence posts and fuel[229].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Screen, Specimen. Succeeds in most soils if they are well drained, preferring a neutral or slightly alkaline soil[11]. Requires a hot dry position in full sun[200]. Does well on lime[200]. A slow-growing but long-lived tree[229], it grows better in dry areas with hot summers[200]. Western Britain is generally to cool and wet for this species to thrive[200]. Trees often produce vigorous shoots from the base of the trunk, or from the stumps of felled trees[82]. The seed takes two summers to ripen[229]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant foliage, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Mexico (south & central), Texas (west), Arizona (s.e. & c.)), Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Puebla, Querétaro)

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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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

Steudel.

Botanical References

1182200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

gene solberg   Wed Nov 10 22:55:40 2004

section on propigation is what I was lookig for.... just moved to Arizona & have developed a great attachment to these trees. As I wonder in the forest they have captured my imagination as the "old people" of the forest. I want to see if I can get some seeds to germinate so I can plant them all over. Any suggestions would be welcome

Guy Spelts   Wed Mar 28 2007

Gene, I came across your post and had to respond. Unfortunetly, it is not to your question. My respond is to your thought on the "old people". I really like that! I have also experianced simular thoughts. When I'm out, especially when I come across one that is 6 to 8 foot wide at the base. I always stop and think, "Oh man do I wish you could talk, I can only imagine the stories you would tell. They definetly have a spirited ambiance. Thanks for the opportunity to reflect!

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