Juniperus recurva is a large
shrub or
tree reaching tall (rarely 25 m), with a trunk up to in diameter and a broadly conical to rounded or irregular crown. The
leaves are needle-like, long, arranged in six ranks in alternating whorls of three. The
cones are berry-like, globose to ovoid, 5–10 mm long and 4–7 mm diameter, glossy blue-black, and contain one
seed; they are mature in about 18 months. The male cones are 3–4 mm long, and shed their pollen in early spring. It is largely
monoecious with pollen and seed cones produced on the same plants.
Varieties There are two
varieties, treated as distinct species by some botanists: •
Juniperus recurva var.
recurva - leaves mostly 5–8 mm. Throughout the range. •
Juniperus recurva var.
coxii - leaves mostly 7–10 mm. Confined to the eastern Himalaya on high rainfall sites. ==Cultivation==