117560 Syrian Juniper Juniperus drupacea (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Shapely evergreen, forming a slender, tall column of compact, bright-green foliage. Occasionally the trunk and crown divide to make a more conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling away in thin shreds. LEAVES Needle-like, pointed with a spine and 2 pale bands on the underside, and are longer than any other Juniper at 2.5cm. Needles grow in bunches of 3. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male trees produce tiny, bright yellowish-green, oval flowers. Female trees produce tiny green flowers in small clusters at the tips of twigs, opening in spring, and these develop into rounded, woody cones, about 2cm in diameter, which turn purple-brown when mature. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests in W Asia; range just extends into Greece. Occasionally planted in British and Irish gardens.
