The Cypress Family (Cupressaceae)
	Family Description	These are trees or shrubs with small, paired, scale-like or bristle-like leaves.
	Juniper Juniperus communis	Junipers are bushy or column-shaped shrubs. They have spiky leaves to protect themselves from hungry herbivores.
	Habitat	Prefers limestone soils. Can be found in coniferous woodland and moors.
	Special features	The leaves are greyish in whorls of three, and are spine tipped.
	Reproduction	The flowers are yellow. They male and female flowers are found on separate plants. The female cones are rounded and berry-like. They are green at first, and then turn bluish black. They ripen in the 2nd or 3rd year.
	Distribution	Seasonal The yellow flowers appear in May and June. Geographical Can be found in many places throughout Britain.
	Fun Fact	Juniper berries are used to flavour gin. The word "gin" comes from the French word "genievre", which in turn, came from the scientific Latin name "Juniperus".