Tibetan Juniper
Juniperus tibetica Kom.
Juniperus tibetica, the Tibetan juniper, is a species of the Cupressaceae family, native to western China. It is found in southern Gansu, southeastern Qinghai, Sichuan, and the Tibet Autonomous Region, growing at elevations between 2,600 and 4,900 metres. It holds the record for the highest known elevation treeline in the northern hemisphere.
Description
Juniperus tibetica is a high-altitude juniper species that thrives in the mountainous regions of western China. Its range includes parts of southern Gansu, southeastern Qinghai, Sichuan, and Tibet, where it is adapted to the extreme conditions of high elevations. The species is notable for its presence at the highest treeline in the northern hemisphere, reaching up to 4,900 metres. It was first described in 1924 by Kom., and remains a key element of the alpine and subalpine ecosystems in its native range.
Other common names
Tibetan Juniper
Distribution
Global · China North-Central · China South-Central · Qinghai · Tibet
Synonyms
Juniperus zaidamensisJuniperus distansJuniperus potaniniiJuniperus zaidamensis f. squarrosaSabina tibeticaSabina potaniniiSabina zaidamensisSabina tibetica