1. Juniperus L., (juniper)

Plants dioecious [rarely monoecious elsewhere]. Leaves evergreen, thick, opposite, scalelike on mature growth, the scale-leaves ovate and convex-appressed, usually with a resin gland on the outer (lower) surface, or if needlelike on juvenile growth, then U-shaped in cross-section, stiff with a spinelike tip, and broadest at the base, decurrent on the branchlet. Microstrobili 4–5 mm long, yellow at maturity, oblong. Cones maturing in a single growing season, globose, fleshy and indehiscent at maturity, blue to nearly black, usually strongly glaucous. Seeds globose, sometimes pitted or angled. About 60 species, mostly in the northern hemisphere.