Shrubs erect or procumbent, or small trees to 12 m, dioecious; ultimate branchlets densely arranged, mostly straight, 4-angled or sometimes ± terete. Leaves both scalelike and needlelike; needlelike leaves usually present on seedlings and young trees, decussate or in whorls of 3, ascending, 4-8 mm, apex acuminate; scalelike leaves decussate, appressed or with free apex, rhombic, obtuse, 1.5-2 mm, abaxial gland central, or basal in needlelike leaves, oblong or broadly linear, depressed. Pollen cones ovoid or subglobose, 2-3 mm; microsporophylls 6-8, each with 2 or 3 pollen sacs. Seed cones bluish black or brownish black when ripe, ± glaucous, ovoid or broadly ovoid, 0.7-1.4 cm × 6-10 mm, 1-seeded. Seeds ovoid or ellipsoid, slightly flattened, 6-7 × 4-6 mm, ridged, base rounded or pointed, apex blunt.
Subalpine conifer forest, juniper woodland and montane to subalpine scrubland and steppe, often restricted to rocky outcrops and sunny slopes, growing on various soil types from coarse gravel terraces to dry loess slopes; from 1,950-4,100 metres
Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
Home
