Stats

Lifespan: Perennial
Size: Medium
Diet: Photosynthetic
Biome: Montane forest
Range: Central and East Asia
Movement: Sessile
Breeding: Seeds
Defense: Spines
Status: Uncommon

About

This star-shaped shrub clings to rocky slopes across the high Himalayan peaks. Its needles trap morning frost to create a shimmering blue coat that repels heavy snow.

Life cycle

1.
seed
A dormant seed waits for water and warmth before germinating.
2.
sprout
A first shoot emerges with cotyledon leaves and a tap root reaching down.
3.
sapling
A young plant grows true leaves and a stem or trunk, putting on height each season.
4.
mature
Fully grown, flowering or fruiting at adult size.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Juniperus
Species: Juniperus squamata