Juniperus communis var. jackii

Jack's juniper, Jack's Juniper

Family: Cupressaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Jack's juniper is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges and high Cascade Range Mountains on rocky or wooded slopes and high-elevation forests, often on serpentine or lava substrates, at elevations of 1,900 to 3,400 meters. This distinctive shrub grows with a spreading, mat-like form that occasionally develops an erect structure, creating low-growing patches across alpine landscapes. Its leaves are short, measuring 7 to 9 millimeters long, with a notable glaucous stomatal band that is three to four times wider than the green leaf margins. The plant produces seed cones that mature into elongated or nearly spherical shapes, typically containing one or occasionally two seeds per cone. Its unique growth habit and adaptability to harsh, high-elevation environments make Jack's juniper a resilient component of mountain ecosystems.

Habitat: Rocky or wooded slopes, high-elevation forests, often on serpentine or lava

Elevation: 1900-3400 m

Bioregions: KR, CaRH

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.