Juniperus recurva

A fine specimen of pendulous form. This is one way of describing the mature specimen of Juniperus recurva var. coxii growing in the copse.A native of Myanmar, China and Bhutan.

It is known to grow in boulder fields in Yunnan Province amongst degraded forest with Abies and Larix at 3250m.Seed from these plants has germinated and young plants can be seen growing at Dawyck.

A blue tinge is evident through the foliage which hangs with a pendulous habit. The aromatic wood is used as incense in Buddhist temples through Bhutan.

Berries are evident on this year’s growth ripening over 12 – 18 months to glossy black with a dry flesh. It is the immature green berries of the Juniper that are used as the primary additive to flavour gin.

The resinous flavours reduce towards maturity and on drying. Although it resembles a one seeded berry, it is in fact a cone. The fleshy scales remain fused together and can be identified as such on closer inspection.

Juniperus recurva

Juniperus recurva