JuNIPERUS. 



CONIFERS. 



235 



A rigid shrub, usually spreading flat on the ground, but sometimes rising to the height of 

 from 2-8 feet. Leaves 4-7 lines long, sharply mucronate, flattish, bright green and 

 shining underneath, glaucous along the midrib above. Sterile aments numerous, in the axils 

 of the leaves, about 2 lines long; the anther-scales cuspidate upward: cells 2 - 4 under 

 each scale. Berries the size of a small pea, dark purplish, containing from 1-3 seeds. 



Dry woods and hills : rather rare. The berries are well known for their stimulating and 

 diuretic properties, as well as for being employed in the distillation of gin (See Bigel. mecl. 

 hot. I. c). 



2. Juniperus Virginiana, Linn. Red Cedar. 



Leaves imbricated in 4 rows ; those of the small twigs ovate and closely imbricated ; those 

 of the older branches, and of very young plants, subulate, cuspidate, and somewhat spreading. 

 — Linn. sp. 2. p. 1040 ; Walt, fl. Car. p. 243 ; Michx. fl. 2. p. 245 ; Michx. f. sylv. 2. 

 t. 155 ; Pursh, fl. 2. p. 647 ; Bigel. med. hot. t. 45, fl. Bost. p. 370 ; Ell. sk. 2. p. 717 ; 

 Beck, hot. p. 337 ; Audub. birds of Amer. t. 43 ; Loud. enc. tr. c£- shr. p. 1084. J. Sabina, 

 Hook. fl. Bor.-Am. 2. p. 166, not of Linn. ? 



var. prostrata : small, trailing on the ground and rooting. J. prostrata, Michx. I. c. ; 

 Pers. syn. 2. p. 632 ? J. repens, Nutt. gen. 2. p. 245. 



A tree 15-30 feet high and 8-15 inches in diameter, tapering rapidly upward, with 

 numerous horizontal branches, the lowest of which are close to the ground. Leaves of 

 young bushes subulate, frequently acute and in distinct pairs, more or less spreading ; on the 

 small twigs of the mature plant, more or less ovate and closely imbricate, but increasing in 

 length with the growth of the branch till they become subulate like those of the young plant, 

 but are usually more or less appressed. The short imbricated leaves are marked with a 

 more or less distinct glandular vesicle on the back. Anthers excentrically peltate. Berries 

 a little larger than a peppercorn, roundish-ovoid, 1 - 3-seeded, purple, and covered with a 

 bright bluish powder. 



Dry hill-sides, in rocky sterile soil : common in most parts of the State ; the creeping 

 variety on the banks of the Genesee river (Dr. Bradley). Fl. April. Fr. October. The 

 wood of this tree is extremely compact and durable. The heart is red, and the sap white. 

 In the Northern States, on account of its small size, it is chiefly used for posts, most of the 

 Red Cedar which is employed for ship timber being brought from the South. Sir William 

 Hooker considers the /. Virginiana as identical with the Savin (J. Sabina) of Europe, to 

 which he also unites J. Bermudiana, J. Barbadensis, and J. prostrata of Europe, but I have 

 not yet had an opportunity for making the comparisons that would be necessary before adopt- 

 ing his views. The leaves of the Red Cedar are generally believed to possess the medicinal 

 properties of Savin. 



30* 



