Species PlantsWestern Juniper

Western Juniper

Juniperus occidentalis

CommonPlant
Illustration of Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis)

Western Juniper is a gnarled, long-lived conifer of the high desert regions of Oregon, California, and Nevada that can live for over 1,000 years. Its dramatic, twisted forms are iconic in the Great Basin landscape. Blue-black berries are an essential winter food for townsend's solitaires, Townsend's warblers, and many other birds.

Habitat
High desert plateaus and rocky slopes of the Great Basin and Pacific states
Diet
Berries eaten by Townsend's solitaire, bluebirds, and many wintering birds
How common
Common

Best time to see a Western Juniper

The best time to see a Western Juniper is April–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 8,232 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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