Thick-BaiiCed Juniper 



113 



glaucous, somewhat roughened by the persistent tips of the scales; the flesh is dry 

 and non-resinous; seeds 4 to 12, some of them often imperfect; cotyledons 2. 

 Not hardy at the north, this tree grows well in the Mediterranean region. 



6. THICK-BARKED JUNIPER Juniperus pachyphlsea Torrey 



Growing in the arid regions of southwestern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, 

 and southward into Mexico up to at least 2000 meters, this juniper attains a 

 maximum height of 18 meters with a trunk diameter of 1.5 m., and is also known 

 as Checkered-barked juniper, AUigator juniper. Oak-barked juniper, Oak-barked 

 cedar. Thick-barked cedar, and Mountain cedar. 



The trunk is short, its branches long, stout, and spreading, forming a loosely 

 conic tree, or sometimes a dense round 

 head. The bark is 2 cm. to nearly 

 I dm. thick, deeply divided into thick 

 scaly 4-sided plates of a dark reddish 

 brown color. The twigs are slender, 

 usually Hght red and scaly after the 

 leaves have fallen off. The leaves are 

 appressed in opposite pairs, bluish 

 green, ovate, about 2 mm. long, blunt- 

 ish-pointed at the apex, minutely 

 toothed on the margin; on young 

 plants and vigorous twigs they are 

 larger, lanceolate, and long-tipped. 

 The flowers open in late winter or 

 spring; the staminate are oblong, 

 about 3 mm. long, composed of 10 or 

 12 stamens with light yellow ovate, 

 short-pointed connectives. The pistil- 

 late flowers have few, spreading, ovate, 

 and taper-pointed scales. The fruit ripens in the autumn of the second year, 

 is globular or oblong, about 12 mm. long, usually dark reddish brown, and distinctly 

 glaucous and roughened by the projecting tips of the scales, sometimes open at 

 the apex and exposing the seed. The flesh is dr}% sweet and mealy; seeds 

 generally 4, ovoid, sharp-pointed, light brown, strongly ridged; cotyledons 2. 



The wood is soft, weak, and brittle, close-grained, light red; its specific gravity 

 is about 0.58. 



The fruit is used for food by the Indians. The tree is unUke any other Juni- 

 per in its pecuHar thick bark which has given it its botanical name and most 

 of its local names. It would be a desirable acquisition to parks and gardens if 

 it would grow in regions other than those in which it is wild. 



Fig. 87. Thick-barked Juniper. 



