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Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. macrocarpa Sieb. & Zucc.

The Juniperus oxycedrus has reached the extraordinary height of 12 meters and trunk circumference of 1.60 meters. It is called red juniper for the colour of its berries and it is a shrub or small evergreen tree, which belongs to the family of the Cupressaceae and which is typical of the Mediterranean Scrub. It has a high resistance to aridity, to the wind saltiness and to substrates poor in nutritional elements.

It is possible to find it in its wild state in all the central-southern area of Italy and in the Po Valley. It is protected in Lazio and Piedmont. The barryers are used to prepare liqueurs with digestive properties or as spices to season meat dishes. The oil of Cadè is obtained by the dry distillation of the wood, which had already been used by the Romans in order to embalm corpses and cure dermatological diseases.

Juniper wood is particularly strong and it is used in carpentry to produce furniture, barrels and tools.

Thanks to its extended root system the plant is useful for the stabilization of soil.

According to certain popular beliefs it was an enchanted plant which kept away snakes, diseases and evil spirits.

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