Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma)

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

Juniperus osteosperma is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) 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 dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). 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 but strongly flavoured of resin and has a mealy texture. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; A thin flesh, it is sweet but strongly flavoured of resin and has a mealy texture.; Used as a flavouring in stews.; The fruit can be eaten fresh or it can be dried and ground into a powder then baked into cakes.

Habitat & North American Range

Thin, dry rocky or gravelly soils on mountain slopes and high plains in desert regions between the Rocky mountains and the Sierra Nevada. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7)