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Home > Juniper > Alligator Juniper

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

KingdomPlantae
DivisionPinophyta
ClassPinopsida
OrderPinales
FamilyCupressaceae
GenusJuniperus
Scientific NameJuniperus deppeana

Alligator Juniper Tree

Alligator Juniper Images

Quick Information

Other NamesCheckerbark Juniper, mountain, oak-barked or thickbark cedar, tláxcal or tlascal, western juniper, sabino, aworíki and agoriza
TypesEergreen
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
HabitatOpen and arid rocky slopes, woodland garden canopies, open oak lands
Hardiness Zones7-9
Growth RateSlow
Lifespan40-150 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 & PestsCattle are the pest
Reproduction SystemDioecious
PropagationSeeds
Seedling Development2-3 years for germination
UsesFruits for edible purposes and woods for lumber
IUCN Conservation StatusLeast 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

  1. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/jundep/all.html
  2. https://wattersgardencenter.com/how-to-grow-alligator-juniper/
  3. https://eol.org/pages/1061763
  4. https://www.conifers.org/cu/Juniperus_deppeana_deppeana.php

Published on November 15th 2018 by Sahana Kanjilal under Juniper.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2024.

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