Taxonomy

Division:

Coniferophyta | - Conifers

Family:

Cupressaceae

Genus:

Juniperus

Species:

Juniperus oxycedrus

USDA Symbol:

JUOX2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

1500 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from the root crown following fire. Common in fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystems.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

5.5 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to alkaline)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

thrives in Mediterranean climates with dry summers

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 90–180 days

Germination Time:

30–365 days

Notes:

Seeds have deep dormancy requiring warm then cold stratification. Germination is often erratic and may take over a year.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI