Juniperus tibetica

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Juniperus tibetica
Bundesarchiv Bild 135-S-05-06-08, Tibetexpedition, Landschaftsaufnahme
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order:
Cupressales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Juniperus
Species:
J. tibetica
Binomial name
Juniperus tibetica
Synonyms[2]
  • Juniperus distans Florin
  • Juniperus potaninii Kom.
  • Juniperus zaidamensis Kom.
  • Sabina potaninii (Kom.) Kom.
  • Sabina tibetica (Kom.) Kom.
  • Sabina tibetica (Kom.) W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu

Juniperus tibetica, the Tibetan juniper, is a species of

treeline in the northern hemisphere.[5]

The highest known stand of J. tibetica was found at 29°42' N 96°45' E at 4900 m in southeastern Tibet (

It is an

dioecious (male and female cones on separate plants).[3][4]

Conservation and uses

It is the only woody plant occurring over large areas of high altitude Tibet, and grows very slowly in the harsh climatic conditions there. The wood is therefore of major importance to local communities for building construction and fuel, and is also burnt for incense. The foliage is also heavily browsed by domestic goats and other livestock.[3][4] Both uses have resulted in a significant decline in the species' abundance; formerly listed (1998) as not threatened,[6] it has more recently (2005) been re-categorised as Near Threatened.[4]

References