Juniper (Juniperus communis)

Edibility:Edible

Eating notes: As well as flavouring drinks, Juniper can be used in sauces to accompany game. They have also been roasted and ground as a coffee substitute.

Juniper is famous as the flavouring of the spirit Gin.

Height: 2 - 5m

Leaves: Coniferous plant with needles 1-2cm long growing from the branches in whorls.

Flowers: Small yellow flowers appearing at the base of the leaves.

Stems: Juniper plants have a variable growth habit. Some form an upright small tree, other a sprawling bush. The bark is grey/brown developing papery flakes with age.

Fruit: Technically, these are not fruit but soft-fleshed cones (as with Yew). They are round or egg-shaped and 6-9mm across. Initially green, they may take up to 2 years to ripen to blue/black. Each berry contains three seeds.

Look-a-likes: description