Juniper is a coniferous, evergreen tree native to Europe, the Himalayas, southwestern Asia and North America. It can reach a height of up to 10-15 metres. The simple, spiny, needle like leaves grow in whorls of 3 around the slender twigs and are dark to glaucous green in colour and 1-2cm in length. The male and female flowers grow on different trees, and once pollinated give rise to green, spherical, berry like seed cones which take 18 months to ripen. Once ripe they change colour to purpley-black with a blue waxy coating and are 4–12mm in diameter.
