Juniper (Juniperus) is a genus in the Cupressaceae family, comprising about 55 species of coniferous trees and shrubs, native to the Northern Hemisphere and sub-equatorial Africa. They can also be found at higher altitudes, up to 4900 m, in Tibet and the Himalayas. They vary in height (from 1 to 40 m) and shape, with a columnar, strongly branched crown. The leaves are persistent, needle-shaped in young specimens and scaly in mature ones. They have monoecious and dioecious inflorescences, the cones are indehiscent, fleshy, fruit-like. They are found in parks and gardens, as solitary specimens, or in groups. Sudden species are often preferred for ground cover, in rockeries or slopes.