Juniperus taxifolia (Bonin Islands juniper; Japanese: シマムロ Shimamuro) is a species of juniper, endemic to the Bonin Islands southeast of Japan.[2][3][4]
| Juniperus taxifolia | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Cupressales |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Genus: | Juniperus |
| Species: | J. taxifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Juniperus taxifolia | |
It is an evergreen coniferous shrub growing to a height of 1–3 m (rarely a small tree to 13 m tall). The leaves are needle-like, in whorls of three, light green, 7–14 mm long and 1-1.5 mm broad, with a double white stomatal band (split by a green midrib) on the inner surface. It is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. The seed cones are berry-like, green ripening in 18 months to reddish-brown with a variable light waxy coating; they are spherical, 8–10 mm diameter, and have six or nine fused scales in two or three whorls of three; the three larger scales each with a single seed. The seeds are dispersed when birds eat the cones, digesting the fleshy scales and passing the hard seeds in their droppings. The pollen cones are yellow, 5 mm long.[2][3]
Some authors include Juniperus lutchuensis from the Ryukyu Islands in J. taxifolia as a synonym,[3] or variety,[5] while others treat it as a distinct species as it has a distinct DNA profile.[2]
Its conservation status, previously given as Data Deficient,[1] is now listed as Vulnerable.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Katsuki, T.; Farjon, A.; Luscombe, D (2013). "Juniperus taxifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T32042A2809466. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T32042A2809466.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ a b c Adams, R. P. (2004). Junipers of the World. Trafford. ISBN 1-4120-4250-X
- ^ a b c Farjon, A. (2005). Monograph of Cupressaceae and Sciadopitys. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 1-84246-068-4
- ^ a b Yasushi laboratory: Juniperus taxifolia[permanent dead link] (in Japanese; google translation)
- ^ Yasushi laboratory: Juniperus taxifolia var. lutchuensis[permanent dead link] (in Japanese; google translation)