[2] The species was previously treated as part of Juniperus phoenicea, which is now regarded as restricted to Spain and France, whereas J. turbinata is found throughout the Mediterranean and in the Arabian Peninsula.

Pollen is produced in the autumn (October to November), rather than in spring as in J. phoenicea.

The seed cones are 7–11 millimetres (1⁄4–3⁄8 inch) long (longer than in J. phoenicea), and somewhat elongated, especially when immature.

It is known from southwestern and southeastern Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia (Cyprus, the east Aegean Islands, Lebanon and Syria, the region of Palestine, the Sinai Peninsula) and northwestern Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia).

[2] It favours soils that are composed of sand, Cambrian limestone or volcanic rock.