About Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. transtagana Franco
This taxon is a subspecies of Juniperus oxycedrus, which varies widely in growth form. It can grow as a spreading shrub 2 to 3 meters (6 1/2 to 10 feet) tall, or as a small erect tree reaching 10 to 15 meters (33 to 49 feet) tall. It produces needle-like leaves arranged in whorls of three; the leaves are green, 5 to 20 millimeters (1/4 to 3/4 inch) long and 1 to 2 millimeters (1/32 to 3/32 inch) broad. On the inner surface of the leaf there is a double white stomatal band, split by a green midrib. This species is usually dioecious, meaning male and female reproductive structures grow on separate individual plants. The seed cones are berry-like: they start out green, and ripen to orange-red with a variable pink waxy coating over 18 months. These cones are spherical, 7 to 12 millimeters (1/4 to 1/2 inch) in diameter, and have three or six fused scales arranged in 1 to 2 whorls; three of these scales each hold a single seed. Birds disperse the seeds when they eat the cones, digesting the fleshy scales and excreting the hard seeds in their droppings. The pollen cones are yellow, 2 to 3 millimeters (1/16 to 1/8 inch) long, and fall away shortly after releasing their pollen in late winter or early spring. Cade oil, an essential oil, is produced by destructive distillation of the wood of this plant. It is a dark aromatic oil with a strong smoky scent, used in some cosmetics, traditional skin treatment medications, and incense. Rarely, cade oil has caused severe allergic reactions in infants.
