Juniperus osteosperma
Utah juniper
(c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · licence
Family: Cupressaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Juniperus osteosperma (Utah juniper) is a native California tree in the Cupressaceae family, recognized by bark color and dry cone type are diagnostic features.
Utah juniper is a native tree found in the Mojave Desert Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, and Great Basin in pinyon and juniper woodland at elevations of 1,300 to 2,600 meters. While not flowering with traditional blossoms, this tree produces small pollen cones 2 to 3 millimeters long and seed cones 5 to 13 millimeters spheric, maturing from brown to red-brown. Growing as a single-trunked tree 1 to 8 meters tall, it features thin gray-brown bark that ages to ash-white with a distinctive appearance. Its leaves are uniquely scale-like, closely appressed and arranged in four ranks, with an obscure gland and generally opposite positioning. The tree's seeds are strongly angled, ovoid, and 3 to 4 millimeters long, typically single within each cone.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; bark color and dry cone type are diagnostic features
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pinyon/juniper woodland
Elevation: 1300-2600 m
California counties: Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Lassen, Tulare, Modoc, Shasta, Kern, Fresno, Alpine, Riverside
Outside California: to Montana, New Mexico
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperocyparis: Juniper has fleshy berry-like cones; Hesperocyparis has woody round cones with shield-shaped scales.; vs Pinus: Juniper needles are single or in whorls of 3; pine needles come bundled in groups of 2-5 with papery sheaths.; vs Calocedrus: Juniper has berry-like cones; Calocedrus has elongated woody cones with flattened, scale-like sprays.; vs Cupressus: Juniper has berry-like cones; Cupressus has round woody cones with shield-shaped scales.; vs Salvia: Juniper is woody with evergreen needles or scales; Salvia is herbaceous with opposite aromatic leaves and lipped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Juniperus osteosperma native to California?
Yes. Juniperus osteosperma is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Juniperus osteosperma grow?
Juniperus osteosperma occurs in Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Lassen, Tulare, Modoc, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 1300-2600 m.
What plant family does Juniperus osteosperma belong to?
Juniperus osteosperma is in the Cupressaceae family, genus Juniperus.
What habitat does Juniperus osteosperma grow in?
Juniperus osteosperma grows in Pinyon/juniper woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Juniperus sp. — Juniper
- Juniperus californica — California juniper
- Juniperus communis — Common juniper
- Juniperus communis var. depressa — Depressed juniper
- Juniperus communis var. jackii — Jack's juniper
- Juniperus communis var. saxatilis — Mountain juniper
- Sequoia sempervirens — Coast redwood
- Sequoia sp. — Redwood
- Sequoiadendron giganteum — Giant sequoia
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.