JUNIPER, Janiperus, a genus of trees and shrubs of the natural order eoniferr, sub order cupresszneee, having unisexual flowers, the male and female generally on separate plants, and the fruit a fleshy galbuk (popularly a berry), containing three small nuts. The species are all evergreen, and have small, Darrow, rigid leaves. which are opposite, or in whorls of three or four, or imbricated in four rows. They are natives chiefly of tempe rate and cold regions, and are found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.—The COM MON JUNIPER (J. communis) is found in all parts of Europe and the n. of Asia, and in the northern parts of North America. Only in favorable circumstances does it become a tree of 15, 20, or at most 30 ft. in height, and in general it is only a shrub from 2 to 6 ft. high. The fruit takes two years to ripen; it is round, of a bluish-black color, with a whitish bloom; it is of the size of a small currant, and is produced in great abundance. The little nuts or stones of the fruit have on the shell three glands, which abound, espe cially before ripening, in an essential oil—oil of also in the wood, particu larly in the young wood. The wood is yellowish red, brownish in the heart, hard, and fragrant. When of sufficient size it is much valued by turners. It is also used for veneering. The dry twigs, roots, and berries are used for fumigation. The berries have a strong and peculiar flavor. They are much used for flavoring gin, which derives its name from them (see Grp). They also enter into several medicinal preparations, being stimulant, sudorific, and diuretic. The bark of juniper may be made into ropes, and iu some parts of the highlands of Scotland the roots are woven into the coarse baskets u filch are used for potatoes, peals, ete.—Oil of juniper is lighter than water; specific gravity, 0.839. It is limpid and nearly colorless. It is obtained by distilling the unripe fruit, or
the twigs, with water. The medicinal properties of juniper depend on it; six drops are a dose.—SPANISH JUNIPER (J. madras) grows in arid situationsin the countries around the Mediterranean sea. Its fruit is about the size of a hazel-nut, and from its fruit and wood is procured an essential oil of disagreeable odor, called ladle de aide (q.v.), which is used in veterinary practice, particularly as a cure for scab in sheep.—VDIGINIAN JUNI• PER J. Virginiana), the RED CEDAlt of North America, is an evergreen tree, often 30 to 50 ft. high, of conical form, with horizontal branches and very small leaves; a native of North America, from lake Champlain to the gulf of Mexico. It grows in sandy or rocky places. It is often planted in pleasure-grounds in Europe, and succeeds well in Britain. The berries are small and bright blue The heart-wood is of a beautiful red color, and is valued by turners, coopers, etc. It is imported into England for making pencils. There are often found on the branches fungous excrescences called cedar apples, which have been recommended as a vermifuge.—The BERMUDAS CEDAR J. Berm•diana) is a native of the Bermudas. a lofty tree, with very fragrant reddish-brown wood, which is used for furniture, pencil-making, etc., and also for lining cabinets, its flavor prevent ing the attacks of moths and other insects.—The Himalaya mountains produce several species of juniper, trees of considerable size, beautiful appearance, and valuable wood. The only species of juniper which is a native of Britain is the common juniper, and it is found chiefly in the more mountainous parts.—The Swismsa JUNIPER of our shrubber ies is merely a variety of the common juniper.