Pencil Cedar, Eastern redcedar, Southern redcedar, Silver Cedar, Burk Eastern Red Cedar, Silver East

Juniperus virginiana

Physical Characteristics

Juniperus virginiana is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Central and Eastern N. America from Canada south to Georgia and Texas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Tea Fruit - raw or cooked[106]. A sweetish resinous flesh[82]. They can be crushed and used as a flavouring in soups and stews[257]. The cones are about 5mm in diameter[200]. About 10mm according to another report[226]. A tea is made from the fruit[159]. It is not very nice[159]. It is made from the young branchlets and the fruit according to one report[183].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Anthelmintic Antiseptic Aromatherapy Cancer Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Rubefacient Stimulant Pencil cedar leaves were much used medicinally by the native N. American Indians, and also in folk medicine by the white settlers, especially to treat chest complaints and skin problems such as venereal warts and other excrescences[269]. The leaves are anthelmintic, diuretic, rubefacient and stimulant[4, 257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds, general weakness and as a medicine for convalescents[257]. The berries are anthelmintic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue and mildly antiseptic[4, 213, 222, 257]. They have been chewed as a treatment for mouth ulcers[213, 257] or made into a tea to treat colds, rheumatism, worms etc[222, 257]. The fresh young twigs are used as a diuretic[213]. An infusion has been used both internally and as a steam bath in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The essential oil from the wood is an abortifacient, in some cases it has caused vomiting, convulsions, coma and death[4, 213]. The plant is said to contain the anticancer compound podophyllotoxin[222]. The essential oil from the berries is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Composing'[210].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant might be toxic[4, 222].