Junipers of Crimea: where they grow, types and their description

For many decades, the Crimea is a favorite vacation spot for tourists from around the world. People from all over the world come to this wonderful peninsula, which never ceases to amaze not only with its unique climate, clear sea, azure shores, landscape and natural attractions, but also with its flora and fauna.

Rare and unique plants of the peninsula attract the attention of both ordinary travelers and scientists.which in natural conditions have the opportunity to observe the growth and development of flowers, trees and shrubs listed in the Red Book. Despite the wide variety of flora representatives, for many years the main plant of the Crimea is juniper.

Juniper is considered a symbol of the Crimea. Breeding work on the removal of this plant was begun in the late 18th century by the workers of the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. On the territory of the peninsula there are not only local varieties, but also varieties brought from other countries of the world. Juniper grove and forests are the visiting card of Crimea.

Junipers grow and feel comfortable not only in the peninsula, but also in the Mediterranean countries, as well as in the mountains of the Caucasus. Plants prefer warm mountain areas, which are located at an altitude of more than 1 km above sea level, and easily tolerate drought. Growth intensity is low and does not exceed a few centimeters per year. The maximum height of plants is 8 meters.

The green part of junipers is presented in the form of small and very thin needles, which resemble spruce. The flowering period occurs at the end of spring, after which red stems, forbidden for human consumption, are formed on the stems. Due to the fact that the Crimean juniper is listed in the Red Book, guests of the peninsula are forbidden to tear and remove the rare and endangered plant. The oldest plants are about 600 years old. A distinctive feature of shrubs that are more than 200 years old is the presence of cracks in the form of ribbons and lines on the trunk.

Botanists number over 70 species of this plant in the Crimea, but only 5 of them are originally Crimean, which were bred by the peninsula breeders:

• red;
• tall (treelike);
• smelly (fetid);
• Cossack;
• ordinary.

Red juniper is a tall plant whose height can reach 8 meters. Thanks to the sharp needles in the people, the tree is called a thorn, and in the specialized literature its following names can be found:

• Spanish;
• cedar red;
• cedar is spiny;
• cedar veres

Juniper high - a huge and powerful tree, on which after flowering maroon fruits are formed.

Juniper smelly - an unusual plant, which emanates an unpleasant odor. Green needles of a tree have a dark shade, and small fruits are painted black.

Juniper Cossack - the most common shrub on the peninsula, which has a non-prickly needles and creeping appearance. Based on this plant, breeders have bred more than 35 types of new bushes, which can be seen not only in the wild, but also in parks, recreation areas and near residential buildings.The maximum height of the shrub is 2 meters, but due to the rapid growth in width, the bush covers the entire territory in a short time.

Juniper ordinary - the only non-toxic form, the fruits of which can be used as a spice for cooking gin. The crown of the tree has an oval or pyramidal shape. Color needles - rich green.

To obtain new plants of the Crimean juniper, biologists recommend using the cutting method. This procedure can be carried out throughout the year, but the most favorable time for plant reproduction is early spring. Low temperatures and regular rain will help the young processes to quickly take root and grow strong before the onset of cold weather.

The process of reproduction begins with harvesting cuttings in the evening or in cloudy weather. Experts do not recommend cutting off the twigs under the scorching sun, the radiation of which will have a negative effect on both the mother bush and the cuttings. For cutting off branches, use only sharp cutting tools.

At a height of 5 cm from the place of the cut, all needles should be completely removed and immediately landed in the ground. If it is impossible to perform a quick landing, the prepared shoots should be dipped in water or wrapped in a wet napkin, but for no more than 4 hours. With longer storage, the cuttings will not be able to take root and simply dry out.

The soil of the landing containers should consist of mixed in equal proportions of sand and peat with the addition of egg shells or wood ash. The optimum planting depth is 3-4 cm. The processes should be placed in a warm and humid room, protected from direct sunlight. The first few days the cuttings need regular watering and spraying, it is impossible to allow the soil to dry out. In favorable conditions, after 60 days, the cuttings will begin to form the first shoots.

Transplantation into open ground can be carried out only after 12 months, when the root system is fully formed and mature.

Crimean juniper is not only a beautiful plant, but also very useful. Scientists have discovered in the essential oil of the shrub unique phytoncides that have destructive properties for most of the dangerous microorganisms. Doctors note a low incidence and a long period of life for residents of the mountainous regions of Crimea. Traditional healers use tree branches to disinfect the premises, and using a broom from this plant during a visit to the bath will help get rid of many diseases.

Modern healers tinctures with a plant used to treat the following pathologies:

• inflammation of the respiratory system;
• diseases of the kidneys and urinary system;
• skin rashes and dermatitis;
• neurological pain;
• insomnia;
• joint diseases, sciatica and polyarthritis;
• allergic rash.

Kitchenware made of juniper, which tourists buy on the peninsula, were not always just beautiful souvenirs. The indigenous inhabitants of the Crimea used this utensil daily in their everyday life - it allowed them to keep food fresh for a long period of time.

The fruits of this plant have been applied in cooking. They make tinctures and mixes for hookahs, boil syrup for the confectionery industry, and also add to the pickle for fish.Experienced housewives use fruit seasoning for meat dishes, sauces, gravy, broths, sauerkraut, baked potatoes and ground beef.

The juniper root system is used in the production of durable filaments, which are later used to join the boards without nails in the manufacture of sailing boats. Not only dishes are cut out of wood, but also interior items, pencils, decorations and decorative knick-knacks.

On the Crimean juniper, see below.