Juniperus monosperma

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Juniperus monosperma

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order:
Cupressales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Juniperus
Species:
J. monosperma
Binomial name
Juniperus monosperma
Natural range

Juniperus monosperma is a species of

Panhandle), and western Texas, and in Mexico in the extreme north of Chihuahua. It grows at 970–2300 m altitude.[2][3]

It is an

monoecious plants can be found.[2][3] Its roots have been found to extend to as far as 61m below the surface, making it the plant with the second deepest roots, after Boscia albitrunca.[5]

Frequently, cones can be found with the seed apex exposed; these were formerly sometimes considered a separate species as Juniperus gymnocarpa, but this is now known to be due to insect damage to the developing cones (and can affect many different species of juniper); the seeds from such cones are sterile.[3]

It is very rare or even extinct in Mexico, with only a single herbarium collection from 1880 verified;[2] more recent searches have failed to find the species there.[3] A closely related species Juniperus angosturana was however formerly considered a variety, as J. monosperma var. gracilis Martínez; it differs from J. monosperma in its slenderer shoots 1.0–1.3 mm diameter.[2][3]

Other vernacular names occasionally used include single-seed juniper and cherrystone juniper.

Ecology

Hopi chipmunks, quail, foxes, rock squirrels and deer eat the berrylike cones. New Mexico's goats browse the foliage.[6]

Uses

Historically, the Navajo ate the ripened cones in the fall or winter and made a dye from the bark and cones. They used its wood for various purposes.[6] Among the Zuni people, a poultice of the chewed root was applied to increase the strength of newborns and infants. An infusion of the leaves was also taken for muscle aches and to prevent conception. An infusion of the leaves was also taken postpartum to prevent uterine cramps and stop vaginal bleeding.[7] A simple or compound infusion of twigs was used to promote muscular contractions at birth and used after birth to stop blood flow.[8] The wood was also used as a favorite and ceremonial firewood, and the shredded, fibrous bark was specifically used as tinder to ignite the fire sticks used for the New Year fire.[9]

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42239A2965568.en
    . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^
    ISBN 1-84246-068-4
  3. ^
    ISBN 1-4120-4250-X
  4. ISBN 0394507614
    .
  5. doi:10.1016/0378-1127(91)90245-Q
    .
  6. ^
    Bonanza Books
    . p. 277.
  7. ^ Camazine, Scott and Robert A. Bye 1980 A Study of the Medical Ethnobotany of the Zuni Indians of New Mexico. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2:365-388 p.373
  8. ^ Stevenson, Matilda Coxe; 1915 Ethnobotany of the Zuni Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #30 p.55
  9. ^ Stevenson, p. 93

External links

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