The prickly juniper (lat. Juniperus oxycedrus) is a shrub or small tree with needle-like leaves that grow in alternating whorls of tree. It grows up to 10-15 meters in height.
This juniper is native to the Mediterranean region and widespread from Morocco and Portugal, to Lebanon and Syria, reaching Kurdistan in Iran, Iraq, and the Caucasus mountain. In Greece, it is a common species and occurs at higher altitudes, on dry thin soils over all kinds of material rocks from calcareous to siliceous and serpentine, commonly also on sand dunes. It can also be found in pastures where it is usually a sign of overgrazing.
It blooms from March to May.
Its wood is resistant and hard, and it has antiseptic and antiparasitic properties; it is highly valued for making furniture and other carpentry products. Essential oils are extracted from the branches and leaves. This oil is used for medicinal purposes, or as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes.
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