Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis)

Family: Cupressaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Juniperus occidentalis is an evergreen Tree growing to 18 m (59ft 1in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet and nutritious, it can also be dried or ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flours to be made into a bread. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; A thin dry flesh with a resinous flavour.; The fruit is sweet and nutritious, it can also be dried or ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flours to be made into a bread.The cones are about 10mm in diameter, they take 2 years to mature.

Habitat & North American Range

Usually found on thin rocky or sandy soils on desert foothills and lower mountains, also on windswept peaks up to elevations of 3,000 metres where they become low gnarled shrubs. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)