Plant Name
Scientific Name: Juniperus deppeana
Synonyms: Juniperus mexicana, J. pachyderma
Common Name: Alligator Juniper
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial, Evergreen
Growth Habit: Tree, Shrub
Arizona Native Status: Native
Habitat: Upland, Mountain
Flower Color: Non-flowering (produces only pollen cones or seed cones)
Height: To 50 feet (15 m) tall
Description: These plants are dioecious. The seed cones are 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter, light glaucous green, purplish green, or reddish brown in color, and covered in a waxy, white bloom. The leaves are dark blue-green, tiny, and scale-like. The distinctive bark is gray-brown and patterned and furrowed like an alligator's back.
The similar Redberry Juniper (Juniperus coahuilensis) has bright red-brown cones, while Oneseed Juniper (Juniperus monosperma) has shredding bark. The other Arizona Juniperus species are found in the more northern parts of the state.
Special Characteristics
Allergenic – The pollen is a moderate allergen.
Edible – The cones (juniper berries) are edible, but they are strongly juniper-flavored. The cones are also eaten by wildlife.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Coniferophyta – Conifers
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Cupressaceae – Cypress family
Genus: Juniperus L. – juniper
Species: Juniperus deppeana Steud. – alligator juniper
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