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African juniper (Juniperus procera)
Photo: Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service, CC BY 3.0 us, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 3 countries tree

African juniper

Juniperus procera

Family: Cupressaceae

On our map this plant appears in 3 countries and ranks highest in: Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia.

The tallest juniper in the world – in favourable conditions it reaches 40 m, although in dry mountains it usually grows to a dozen or so metres. It has scale-like leaves (needle-like on young plants) and small, bluish berry-like cones. It grows in the mountains of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, from Eritrea to Zimbabwe, usually at 1,500–3,000 m. Its aromatic, durable, termite-resistant wood is prized for building, which has led to the depletion of stands in many countries.

Description from: Djibouti.

More: Wikipedia (en) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Djibouti no. 1 of 5 native

    The Forêt du Day in the Goda Mountains is practically the only true forest in Djibouti; for decades it has been dying back because of drought and grazing, so protecting it has become a symbol of the country’s fight against desertification.

  2. Saudi Arabia no. 3 of 10 native

    The juniper forests of the Sarawat Mountains are the most extensive forests in Saudi Arabia and an important wildlife refuge, protected in places such as Asir National Park.

  3. Ethiopia no. 8 of 10 native

    Forests of juniper and African olive once covered much of the Ethiopian Highlands; today their remnants survive largely as “church forests” surrounding the churches of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.