Prickly Juniper

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Prickly Juniper
• cade juniper
• red-berry juniper

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Pinidae. Within the order Pinales, it is classified under the family Cupressaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Juniperus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the Mediterranean region of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing across the diverse landscapes of France and Portugal. Additionally, its range extends to several prominent island territories. Specifically, its presence is recorded in the Baleares, Corse, and Sardegna. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Juniperus oxycedrus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Juniperus oxycedrus is characterized by its presence in diverse environments, including forest, rivers, and swamps. This adaptability allows it to occupy various niches within these ecosystems, contributing to its distribution across different landscapes. The species typically thrives at a mean elevation of 980 m AMSL, positioning it within specific altitudinal zones that influence its growth patterns and ecological interactions.

Elevational range mean:

980 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, rivers, swamps

Life history

The life history of Juniperus oxycedrus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. Specifically, it functions as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, maintaining a woody structure that enables it to endure seasonal shifts and maintain long-term biological stability within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Juniperus oxycedrus is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a self-supporting shrub or small tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. The plant maintains a self-supporting structure without any climbing or liana-like tendencies. In terms of stature, its height is variable, generally ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Juniperus oxycedrus is characterized by specialized metabolic and morphological adaptations suited to its environmental niche. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism for many woody gymnosperms, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. Structurally, the plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 58.4 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the leaf's density and thickness, contributing to its ability to manage water retention and light interception efficiency.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

58.4 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Juniperus oxycedrus is characterized by a specialized dispersal strategy and specific seed morphology. The plant exhibits a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals for the movement of its reproductive units. While various dispersal modes such as anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized methods are documented in similar contexts, the primary mechanism for this species is zoochory. The fruit itself is classified as dry, which influences the release and movement of the seeds. The seeds possess a highly consistent volume, with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 65 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds show a degree of variability; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.28513 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.15536 g to a maximum of 0.46516 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

0.46516 g

Seed mass mean:

0.28513 g

Seed mass min:

0.15536 g

Seed volume max:

65 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Juniperus oxycedrus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Juniperus oxycedrus has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11beta-Hydroxymanoyl oxide, Cedrene, Cuparene, EO, Methyl cis-Communate.

11beta-Hydroxymanoyl oxide

1. Dr. Duke

Cedrene

1. Dr. Duke

Cuparene

1. Planta medica

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Methyl cis-Communate

1. Dr. Duke

Methyl trans-communate

1. Dr. Duke

P-CRESOL

1. Dr. Duke

PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Sesquiterpenes

1. Planta medica

Viridiflorol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Juniperus oxycedrus has 35 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allelochemic, Allergenic, Analgesic, Anesthetic, Antiacetylcholinesterase.

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacetylcholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Antidermatitic

1. Dr. Duke

Antieczemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiesophagitic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimutagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Juniperus oxycedrus has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Candida auris, Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic resistance.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations