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| ## redberry juniper {#redberry-juniper .Title-Header}                 |
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| *Juniperus pinchotii* Sudw.                                           |
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| Plant Symbol = JUPI                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### Alternate Names![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.884027777777778in" height="4.116666666666666in"}

Pinchot's juniper

##### Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: The Comanche used Pinchot's juniper as a treatment for
headaches, vertigo, and ghost sickness. For these ailments the Comanche
would sprinkle dried leaves over hot coals and inhale the smoke. The
Comanche also used an extract of the dried and pulverized roots of
Pinchot's juniper for menstrual problems.

##### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description

######## General: Cypress Family (Cupressaceae). Pinchot's juniper grows to be a shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum height of 6 meters. Multiple stems coming from the base of the tree form a dense clump. The bark is thin and ashy-gray colored with longitudinal fissures. The branches are rigid, with slender ascending tips. Pinchot's juniper has white sapwood and reddish-brown heartwood. The leaves on mature fruiting branches are triangular-ovate and pressed together in groups of two or three (1.5-2.5 mm long). The leaf margins are serrated with teeth that point forward. The fruits are variable in size, ranging in color from reddish to copper-brown. Each fruit has either one or two seeds. The seeds are 5 mm long, have a broad oval shape, and are chestnut brown in color. 

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: Found on open flats, dry hills, in arroyos, and in canyons.

##### Adaptation

Low to moderate intensity fires will kill seedlings and saplings. Mature
trees, will resprout after top-kill by fire if soil is protecting the
basal bud zone. Once top-killed, mature trees require 3-50 years to
attain pre-fire height.

##### Establishment

Pinchot's juniper requires two years of above average precipitation for
seedling establishment. The optimal soil temperature for germination is
64 degrees Fahrenheit. Reproduction also occurs from resprouting of
already established plants. Following injury or top removal, Pinchot's
juniper will resprout from the base of the stem.

##### Management

Fire has been successfully used to prevent the encroachment of Pinchot's
juniper on rangeland. For further information regarding the use of fire
to manage the tree consult your local land management agency.

##### Pests and Potential Problems

Grown in its native habitat and using local seed stock, Pinchot's
juniper should not be prone to debilitating pests.

### Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

##### References

Correl, D.S. & M.C. Johnston 1970. *Manual of the vascular plants of
Texas*. Texas Research Foundation, Renner, Texas. 1881 pp.

Great Plains Flora Association 1986. *Flora of the Great Plains.*
University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. 1392 pp.

Jones, D.E. 1968. *Comanche plant medicine*. Papers in Anthropology
9:1-13.

McPherson, G.R. & H.A. Wright 1997. *Factors affecting reproductive
maturity of redberry juniper* (*Juniperus pinchotii*). Forest Ecology
and Management 21:191-196.

Moerman, D.E. 1998. *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber Press,
Portland, Oregon. 927 pp.

Moerman, D.E. 1999. *Native American ethnobotany database: Foods, drugs,
dyes and fibers of native North American peoples*. The University of
Michigan-Dearborn, Michigan. <http://www.umd.umich.edu/cgi-bin/herb>.

Texas A&M University 2002. *Native trees of Texas*. Department of
Horticulture, College Station, Texas.
\<http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/indexscientific.htm\>.
Accessed: 30May2002.

United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 2001. *Fire
effects information system*. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire
Science Laboratory, Boise, ID.
<http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/junpin/index.html>

##### Prepared By: 

##### *Matthew D. Hurteau*

##### Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Environmental Horticulture Department, University of California, Davis, California

##### Species Coordinator: 

##### *M. Kat Anderson* 

##### USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Sciences Department, University of California, Davis, California

##### Edited: 30May2002 jsp; 21may03 ahv; 060801 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
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