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Phoenician juniper (Juniperus phoenicea)
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On the map in 2 countries shrub

Phoenician juniper

Juniperus phoenicea

Family: Cupressaceae

On our map this plant appears in 2 countries and ranks highest in: Libya, Jordan.

An evergreen shrub or small tree, usually growing to 2–8 m, with tiny, scale-like leaves pressed against the twigs. The fruit is a globular berry-like cone that takes two years to ripen, changing colour from green to reddish brown. It grows on dry, rocky, often limestone slopes from the coast to the mountains, withstanding long droughts and salty sea winds. Its hard, rot-resistant wood was used for posts, beams and firewood, and the berries in folk medicine.

Description from: Libya.

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

Significance in each country

  1. Libya no. 3 of 8

    Phoenician juniper dominates the maquis of Jabal al Akhdar, Libya’s largest forested area, and protects its soils from erosion. This scrub is shrinking fast, however, because of cutting for firewood and charcoal and the spread of building.

  2. Jordan no. 4 of 5

    The juniper woodlands of the Dana Biosphere Reserve and around Shobak are among the largest natural forests of southern Jordan. They are a refuge for many rare birds and an important ecotourism destination.