What is Common juniper?
{{Taxobox | name = ''Juniperus communis'' | status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3 | status_ref = <ref>Conifer Specialist Group 1998. Juniperus communis. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 03 March 2010.</ref> | image = Jeneverbes.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = ''Juniperus communis'' subsp. ''communis'' <br>in the [[Netherlands]] | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Pinophyta]] | classis = [[Pinophyta|Pinopsida]] | ordo = [[Pinales]] | familia = [[Cupressaceae]] | genus = ''[[Juniperus]]'' | species = '''''J. communis''''' | binomial = ''Juniperus communis'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] }} The '''common juniper''' (''Juniperus communis'') is a [[species]] in the [[genus]] ''[[Juniperus]]'', in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Cupressaceae]]. It has the largest range of any [[woody plant]]. It is all over the cool [[temperate]] [[Northern Hemisphere]]. It can be found in [[North America]], Europe and Asia. == Description == [[Image:JuniperusCommunisAlpina.jpg|left|thumb|''Juniperus communis'' subsp. ''alpina'', [[Vitosha]], [[Bulgaria]].]] ''Juniperus communis'' is a [[shrub]] or small [[pinophyta|coniferous]] [[evergreen]] [[tree]]. It is a low spreading shrub. Sometimes it can reach 10 m tall. The seed [[conifer cone|cones]] are [[berry]]-like. They are green when ripening. In 18 months they change to purple-black with a blue waxy coating. ==Uses== [[Image:Juniperus communis fruits - Keila.jpg|thumb|right|Foliage and berries]] ===Crafts=== It is too small to be used for [[lumber]]. In [[Scandinavia]], however, juniper [[wood]] is used for making containers. These containers store small amounts of [[dairy]] products such as [[butter]] and [[cheese]]. In [[Estonia]] juniper wood is valued for its long lasting and pleasant aroma. Various decorative items (often eating utensils) are common in most Estonian handicraft shops and households. ===Culinary=== Its [[astringent]] blue-black seeds, commonly k