Juniperus recurva

Himalayan juniper or drooping juniper is in the cypress or Cupressaceae family and is native to the Himalayas from northern Pakistan to western Yunnan province of China. It grows at high altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 m in elevation.

Two varieties are recognized by some botanists: Juniperus recurva var. recurva, and Juniperus recurva var. coxii.

• The species is a large shrub or tree up to 20 m tall, with a conical or rounded crown.
• Leaves are needle-like, 5–10 mm long, arranged in six ranks in alternating whorls of three.
• Species is mostly monoecious, although occasionally plants are dioecious. The male cones are 3–4 mm long, and shed their pollen in early spring. Female cones are berry-like, globose to ovoid, 5–10 mm long and 4–7 mm diameter, glossy blue-black, and contain one seed; they are mature in about 18 months.