See text Junipers are coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus Juniperus (/dʒuːˈnɪpərəs/ joo-NIP-ər-əs)[1] of the cypress family Cupressaceae.

Depending on the taxonomy, between 50 and 67 species of junipers are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere as far south as tropical Africa, including the Arctic, parts of Asia, and Central America.

[not in body] The highest-known juniper forest occurs at an altitude of 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) in southeastern Tibet and the northern Himalayas, creating one of the highest tree lines on earth.

The needle leaves of junipers are hard and sharp, making the juvenile foliage very prickly to handle.

This can be a valuable identification feature in seedlings, as the otherwise very similar juvenile foliage of cypresses (Cupressus, Chamaecyparis) and other related genera are soft and not prickly.

J. ashei Buchholz J. californica Carrière J. saltillensis Hall J. durangensis Martínez J. monosperma (Engelmann) Sarg.

J. saltuaria saltuaria Rehder & Wilson J. convallium Rehder & Wilson J. indica Bertoloni J. coxii Jackson J. recurva Buchanan-Hamilton ex Don J. komarovii Florin J. squamata Buchanan-Hamilton ex Don J. phoenicea von Linné J. procera Hochst.

The junipers from Lahaul valley can be found in dry, rocky locations planted in stony soils.

[14] When junipers increase in population, there is a decrease in woody species like mountain big sagebrush and aspen.

Some species found in cultivation include: In drier areas, juniper pollen easily becomes airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs.

[18] This has made the wood a traditional choice for the construction of hunting bows among some of the Native American cultures in the Great Basin region.

[21] Some Indigenous peoples of the Americas use juniper in traditional medicine; for instance the Dineh (Navajo), who use it for diabetes.

[23][24] Juniper is traditionally used in Scottish folkloric and Gaelic Polytheist saining rites, such as those performed at Hogmanay (New Year), where the smoke of burning juniper, accompanied by traditional prayers and other customary rites, is used to cleanse, bless, and protect the household and its inhabitants.

[25] Local people in Lahaul Valley present juniper leaves to their deities as a folk tradition.

They are reported to collect large amounts of juniper leaves and wood for building and religious purposes.

A juniper-based spirit is made by fermenting juniper berries and water to create a "wine" that is then distilled.

Juniper berry sauce is often a popular flavoring choice for quail, pheasant, veal, rabbit, venison, and other game dishes.

[30] Juniper berries are steam distilled to produce an essential oil that may vary from colorless to yellow or pale green.