Juniperus tibetica
Species of conifer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Juniperus tibetica, the Tibetan juniper, is a species of juniper, native to western China in southern Gansu, southeastern Qinghai, Sichuan, and Tibet Autonomous Region, where it grows at high to very high altitudes of 2,600–4,900 metres (8,500–16,100 feet).[3][4] This species has the highest known elevation treeline in the northern hemisphere.[5]
Juniperus tibetica | |
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Bundesarchiv Bild 135-S-05-06-08, Tibetexpedition, Landschaftsaufnahme | |
Scientific 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] | |
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The highest known stand of J. tibetica was found at 29°42' N 96°45' E at 4900 m in southeastern Tibet (Xizang Autonomous Region, Baxoi County). [5]
It is an evergreen coniferous shrub or small to medium-sized tree growing to heights of 5–15 m (16–49 ft), rarely 30 metres (98 ft), with a trunk up to 2 metres (6+1⁄2 ft) in diameter. The leaves are of two forms, juvenile needle-like leaves 5 millimetres (1⁄4 inch) long on seedlings and occasionally (regrowth after browsing damage) on adult plants, and adult scale-leaves 1.5–3 mm (1⁄16–1⁄8 in) long on older plants; they are arranged in decussate opposite pairs or whorls of three. The cones are ovoid, berry-like, 9–16 mm (3⁄8–5⁄8 in) long and 7–13 mm (1⁄4–1⁄2 in) diameter, blue-black, and contain a single seed; they are mature in about 18 months. The male cones are 1.5–2 mm (1⁄16–3⁄32 in) long, and shed their pollen in spring. It is usually monoecious (male and female cones on the same plant), but occasionally dioecious (male and female cones on separate plants).[3][4]