Alligator Juniper
The perennial species belonging to the Cupressaceae family is a coniferous tree. Bloomed throught January to March the tree has a triangle shape top with an interesting bark texture.
Alligator Juniper
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Pinophyta |
| Class | Pinopsida |
| Order | Pinales |
| Family | Cupressaceae |
| Genus | Juniperus |
| Scientific Name | Juniperus deppeana |
Alligator Juniper Tree
Alligator Juniper Images
Quick Information
| Other Names | Checkerbark Juniper, mountain, oak-barked or thickbark cedar, tláxcal or tlascal, western juniper, sabino, aworíki and agoriza |
| Types | Eergreen |
| Identification |
Size:20-48 ft (6.1-15 m) of height sometimes 65 ft (20m) Bark: Dark grayish brown Needles (leaves): Scale-like leaves, 1.5 mm in width and 2.5 mm in length Cones: Orange-brown berry-like cones with a whitish waxy coating, 5-15 mm in diameter, having 2-6 seeds |
| Distribution | Northern and Central Mexico and in some regions of the Southwestern USA |
| Habitat | Open and arid rocky slopes, woodland garden canopies, open oak lands |
| Hardiness Zones | 7-9 |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Lifespan | 40-150 years |
| Growing Conditions |
Summer: Young trees require twice watering every week; dry and hot areas are conducive to the fastest growth Light: Sun Soil: Dry and well-drained, sandy loam, clay, rocky Water: Low requirement |
| Diseases & Pests | Cattle are the pest |
| Reproduction System | Dioecious |
| Propagation | Seeds |
| Seedling Development | 2-3 years for germination |
| Uses | Fruits for edible purposes and woods for lumber |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Alligator Juniper Bonsai
Alligator Bark Juniper
Interesting Facts
- Its square plates bark is similar to an alligator’s skin and hence it has got its name.
- Although it has five varieties, (Juniperus deppeana var. deppeana, Juniperus deppeana var. pachyphlaea, Juniperus deppeana var. robusta, Juniperus deppeana var. sperryi, Juniperus deppeana var. zacatecensis) these variations are not accepted by all.
Photo Alligator Juniper
Big Alligator Juniper Tree
References
Published on November 15th 2018 by Sahana Kanjilal under Coniferous Forest Plants and Trees.
Article was last reviewed on 27th November 2018.
