Home/Species/ Seaside Juniper

Juniperus maritima

R.P. Adams

Seaside Juniper

G3Vulnerable (G3G4) Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →

G3VulnerableGlobal Rank

UnknownThreat Impact

Identity

Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.817086

Element CodePGCUP050J0

Record TypeSPECIES

ClassificationSpecies

Classification StatusStandard

Name CategoryVascular Plant

Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

KingdomPlantae

PhylumConiferophyta

ClassPinopsida

OrderPinales

FamilyCupressaceae

GenusJuniperus

Other Common Names

Genévrier maritime (FR) seaside juniper (EN)

Concept Reference

Adams, R. P. 2007. Juniperus maritima, the Seaside Juniper, a new species from Puget Sound, North America. Phytologia 89(3): 263-283.

Taxonomic Comments

A species newly described from the Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula region, previously considered to be part of Juniperus scopulorum (Adams 2007).

Conservation Status

Rank MethodExpertise without calculation

Review Date2016-07-28

Change Date2008-10-10

Edition Date2008-10-09

Edition AuthorsGravuer, K.

Threat ImpactUnknown

Rank Reasons

Newly described in 2007, this species is currently known from the Puget Trough and Olympic Peninsula of Washington and from southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia; further research may expand the known range. Herbarium collections document over 60 known sites at low elevations in the Puget Trough alone, and there are additional sites in the Trough and on the Olympic Peninsula, as well as at least 13-16 sites (probably more) in British Columbia. Occasionally abundant at Washington sites. Many known sites appear to face few current threats, although some face a long-term risk of tree invasion by Douglas-fir.

Range Extent Comments

Juniperus maritima occurs in Canada and the United States. It is known from the Puget Trough and Olympic Peninsula in Washington, where it appears to be reasonably widespread (J. Arnett, pers. comm., 2008). In British Columbia, It is known from southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands (J. Penny pers. comm. 2008).

Occurrences Comments

The University of Washington herbarium has collections from over 60 places at low elevations in the Puget Trough, vegetation plot data confirms occurrence at 6 low elevation Washingon sites (possibly overlapping the herbarium collections), and there are many islands and areas near salt water in Washington that are not reflected in these records (J. Arnett pers. comm. 2008). There are also populations on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington (R. Adams, pers. comm. to J. Arnett 2008); at least three Olympic locations are confirmed by vegetation plot data (J. Arnett pers. comm. 2008). Currently, 13-16 sites are known in British Columbia, but more sites likely exist - additional survey is needed (J. Penny pers. comm. 2008).

Threat Impact Comments

Many known sites appear to face few threats. The primary long-term risk appears to be tree invasion by Douglas-fir (J. Arnett pers. comm. 2008). Threats mentioned by Adams (2007) include development and human impacts from a resort at one site, and beach use and storm activity at another site. Also, lack of recruitment was noted in a few populations.

Ecology & Habitat

Diagnostic Characteristics

Adams (2007) reported that this species differs from J. scopulorum in that the seed cones mature in 1 year (14-16 months), seeds are usually exserted from the cone, and the scale leaf tips are obtuse; and that it differs from J. virginiana in having larger seed cones (6-8 mm) that are often reniform, seeds usually exserted from the cone, scale leaves overlap less than 1/5 the length, and branchlets are smooth and reddish-brown (more details in Table 3 of article). However, subsequent work suggested that geography was the only field character that could reliably distinguish this species from J. scopulorum; apparently, even the exserted seeds (the trait which in general seemed consistent among the low elevation plants) are the result of insect activity, and if they are missing from higher elevation plants it may be that the insects are simply not present (R. Adams, pers. comm. to J. Arnett 2008).

Habitat

The species was originally described from populations at seasides or lakesides on granite or sand (usually found in rocky areas but sometimes on coastal sand dunes, often within meters of the water) (Adams 2007). However, subsequent study found the species to be more widespread in Washington than originally believed, with some of the additional sites at higher elevations on the Olympic peninsula, where associates include lowland rocky bald species.

Terrestrial Habitats

Forest/WoodlandWoodland - ConiferSand/duneBare rock/talus/scree

Palustrine Habitats

Riparian

Other Nations (2)

CanadaN4

Province	Rank	Native
British Columbia	S4	Yes

United StatesN3

Province	Rank	Native
Washington	S3	Yes

Plant Characteristics

Economic Value (Genus)No

Roadless Areas (2)

Washington (2)

Area	Forest	Acres
Madison Creek	Olympic National Forest	1,223
Quilcene	Olympic National Forest	18,656

References (5)

Adams, R. P. 2007. <i>Juniperus maritima</i>, the Seaside Juniper, a new species from Puget Sound, North America. Phytologia 89(3): 263-283.
Adams, R.P. 2018. <i>Juniperus</i> of Canada and the United States: Taxonomy, Key and Distribution. Lundellia 21(1):1-34.
Arnett, Joe. Personal communication. Botanist, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Natural Heritage Program, Olympia, WA.
Penny, Jenifer. Personal communication. Program Botanist, British Columbia Conservation Data Centre, Ecosystems Branch, Ministry of Environment, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, PLANTS Database [USDA PLANTS]. http://plants.usda.gov/. Accessed 2015.