About Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine
Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine is a species of evergreen juniper that grows as a shrub or small tree, reaching up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height and a maximum trunk diameter of 50 centimeters (20 inches). Its needle-like leaves are arranged in whorls of three, colored glaucous green, and measure 4–10 millimeters (1⁄4–1⁄2 inch) long by 1–3 millimeters broad. On the inner surface of each leaf is a double white stomatal band split by a green midrib. This species is dioecious, meaning individual plants produce either all male or all female reproductive structures. The female seed cones are berry-like; they start green, and ripen over 18 months to an orange-red color, with variable pink waxy coating. These cones are spherical, 6–9 millimeters in diameter, and formed from three or six fused scales arranged in one or two whorls of three. Each of the three larger scales bears a single seed. Birds disperse the seeds after eating the cones: they digest the fleshy scales, then excrete the hard, intact seeds in their droppings. Male cones are yellow, 2–3 millimeters long, and fall from the plant shortly after releasing their pollen in early spring. Three subdivisions of Juniperus brevifolia are currently accepted, each differing in growth form and preferred habitat. Juniperus brevifolia subsp. brevifolia grows as a small to medium tree at elevations between 300 and 1000 meters, and is found on the Azorean islands of Corvo, Faial, Flores, Pico, Santa Maria, Sao Jorge, Sao Miguel, and Terceira. It occupies a wide range of habitats, including Juniperus–Laurus azorica forest, Juniperus–Ilex perado subsp. azorica forest, pure Juniperus woods, Juniperus–Sphagnum woods, and pioneer scrubland on lava flows alongside Erica azorica, Calluna vulgaris, and Vaccinium cylindraceum. Juniperus brevifolia subsp. maritima R.B.Elias & E.Días is an erect shrub or small tree native to coastal scrub below 100 meters elevation on Flores, Terceira, Pico, and São Jorge, where it often grows alongside Myrica faya and Erica azorica. Juniperus brevifolia var. montana R.B.Elias & E.Días is a small prostrate shrub common in mountain scrub and blanket bogs between 850 and 1500 meters elevation, where it often grows with Calluna vulgaris.
