290 A MANUAL OP THE CONIFERS. 



habit will be found to vary. J. iiachypldma is certainly a remarkable, 

 but can scarcely be called a handsome species. Parlatore observes of 

 it, "/. occidentali valde affinis et forsan ejus varietas." 



Juniperus phcenicea. — A low tree or shrub-like bush, of conical 

 or pyramidal habit. Its stem is furnished with numerous slender 

 branches much divided at their extremities, and clothed with small 

 scale-like bright green leaves, the glaucescence common to the tribe, 

 being absent or nearly so in this species. The dioecious character 

 of the Junipers is frequently departed from in J. phoenicea, so that 

 staminate and pistillate flowers are found on the same plant, but 

 always on different branches of it, and thus showing the peculiarity 

 of some branches being covered with berries while the others are 

 unfruitful. The berries are about the size of peas, and of a pale 

 yellow in this country, where they generally fail to arrive at maturity, 

 but in the south of Europe they are blackish-violet when ripe. 



Habitat. — The Mediterranean region. 



Introduced in 1683 by Mr. James Sutherland, of the Botanic 

 Garden, Edinburgh. 



Juniperus sphaerica combines the upright mode of growth of 

 J. chinensis with the habit of J. yhoenicea in its much divided tufted 

 branches and scale-like imbricated leaves, the colour of the foliage 

 being on the whole brighter than the latter and less glaucescent 

 than the former. It shows the same peculiarity as /. phoenicea in 

 often departing from the dioecious character of the Junipers, so that 

 particular branches are sometimes found loaded with berries while 

 the remainder of the plant has none. The berries are of globular or 

 spherical form, which suggested to Dr. Lindley the specific name.* 



Habitat. — North China. 



Introduced in 1846 by Mr. Eobert Fortune. 



Juniperus sphaerica Sheppardi.— A shrubby bush, of rather 

 spreading habit, rendered dense by its numerous branchlets. The 

 leaves are acicular, rigid, open, and sharp pointed. In autumn the 

 foliage and young growth becomes very glaucous, almost of silvery 

 whiteness. It is a recent introduction from China. 



* Parlatore remarks that " Juniperus sphcerica divert a J. chinense floribus monoicis ramis 

 crassioribus, brevioribus, subtetragonis ; foliis subpatulis et glandula ovali vel subrotunda 

 prope basin praeditis, et prcecipue galbulis majoribus. "— Prod., xvl, p. 488. 



