Juniperus pinchotii

Juniperus is the name for old-world junipers; pinchotii is in honor of the American forester and conservationist Gifford Pinchot. He was also the first chief of the United States Forest Service. Pinchot's juniper can sprout from basal buds after disturbances such as cutting or burning. The wood is used principally for fenceposts and fuel. Juniperus pinchotii is native to the U.S. and is in the Cupressaceae (Cypress Family).
Photo Credit: © J.R. Manhart
Juniperus pinchotii
Common Name: Pinchot's juniper
Other Common Names: enebro de fruto rojo, Pinchot juniper, redberry juniper
Plant Functional Group: Evergreen conifer
Class > Order > Family: Pinopsida > Pinales > Cupressaceae
What does the species look like?

Juniperus pinchotii is an evergreen, perennial, coniferous, large shrub or small tree to 20 feet. It usually branches from the ground forming a single trunk and irregular dense crown. Its bark is thin and ashy gray to brown, and its foliage is fragrant. The plants are usually dioecious, with male (pollen) and female (seed) cones on separate plants. The seed cone is reddish to coppery-brown and contains oval, chestnut brown seeds.

Pinchot’s juniper prefers gravelly or rocky sites in high plains, gypsum rolling hills, arroyos, canyons, or ravines. It is considered a medium water user. It prefers part shade and dry soils. Pinchot’s juniper usually occurs at 1,000 to 5,000 feet in elevation. 

This juniper is is likely pollinated by wind and its seed dispersed by birds, wildlife, livestock, and surface water. It is also a larval host and/or nectar source for the Juniper hairstreak butterfly.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
NM, OK, TX
Special Considerations for Observing

Note that individuals of this species with only male cones will not produce fruit.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see...?
Pollen cones Pollen cones
One or more fresh, male pollen cones (strobili) are visible on the plant. Cones have overlapping scales that are initially tightly closed, then spread apart to open the cone and release pollen. Include cones that are unopened or open, but do not include wilted or dried cones that have already released all of their pollen.
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How many fresh pollen cones are present?

  • Less than 3
  • 3 to 10
  • 11 to 100
  • 101 to 1,000
  • 1,001 to 10,000
  • More than 10,000
Open pollen cones
One or more open, fresh, male pollen cones (strobili) are visible on the plant. Cones are considered "open" when the scales have spread apart to release pollen. Do not include wilted or dried cones that have already released all of their pollen.

What percentage of all fresh pollen cones (unopened plus open) on the plant are open?

  • Less than 5%
  • 5-24%
  • 25-49%
  • 50-74%
  • 75-94%
  • 95% or more
Pollen release
One or more male cones (strobili) on the plant release visible pollen grains when gently shaken or blown into your palm or onto a dark surface.
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How much pollen is released?

  • Little: Only a few grains are released.
  • Some: Many grains are released.
  • Lots: A layer of pollen covers your palm, or a cloud of pollen can be seen in the air when the wind blows

Seed cones Unripe seed cones
One or more unripe, female seed cones are visible on the plant. For Juniperus pinchotii, an unripe seed cone is berry-like and green, turning pinkish, often covered with a whitish film that rubs off.
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How many seed cones are unripe?

  • Less than 3
  • 3 to 10
  • 11 to 100
  • 101 to 1,000
  • 1,001 to 10,000
  • More than 10,000
Ripe seed cones
One or more ripe, female seed cones are visible on the plant. For Juniperus pinchotii, a berry-like seed cone is considered ripe when it has turned orange-red or copper-red, often covered with a whitish film that rubs off.
More...

How many seed cones are ripe?

  • Less than 3
  • 3 to 10
  • 11 to 100
  • 101 to 1,000
  • 1,001 to 10,000
  • More than 10,000
Recent cone or seed drop
One or more seed cones or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include empty seed cones that had long ago dropped all of their seeds but remained on the plant.
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How many seed cones have dropped seeds or have completely dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit?

  • Less than 3
  • 3 to 10
  • 11 to 100
  • 101 to 1,000
  • 1,001 to 10,000
  • More than 10,000
What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.

USDA PLANTS profile for Pinchot's juniper (USDA Symbol: JUPI )