Shrubs or trees dioecious, to 8 m, single-stemmed to 1 m or branched at base; crown flattened-globose to irregular to round. Bark gray to brown, exfoliating in long ragged strips, that of small branchlets (5--10 mm diam.) smooth, that of larger branchlets exfoliating in strips, or occasionally in flakes. Branches spreading to ascending; branchlets erect, 3--4-sided in cross section, ca. 2/3 as wide as length of scalelike leaves. Leaves green to light green, abaxial glands elliptic to ovate, at least 1/4 of glands (on whip leaves) with an evident white crystalline exudate, margins denticulate (at 20´); whip leaves 4--6 mm, glaucous adaxially; scalelike leaves 1--3 mm, not overlapping or if so, by less than 1/4 their length, keeled, apex acute, spreading. Seed cones maturing in 1 year, of 1 size, with straight peduncles, globose to ovoid, 6--7 mm, rose to pinkish but yellow-orange, orange, or dark red beneath glaucous coating, fleshy and somewhat sweet, with 1(--2) seeds. Seeds 4--5 mm.
Bouteloua grasslands and adjacent rocky slopes; at elevations from 980-2,200 metres. Most often found on dry, well-drained soils in full sun.
Can be grown by seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
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