The genus ‘Juniperus’ is known to have some 50-67 species of plants. Junipers are coniferous and can be either evergreen trees or shrubs with creeping branches. Due to this, it is commonly known as ‘creeping juniper’. The plants can be either monoecious where the male and female reproductive organs are present on the same plant or dioecious where the reproductive organs are in separate plants.

The plant bears leaves, shaped like needles or like scales. Sometimes, both the varieties of leaves are present in some species of junipers. The young leaves usually grow in the shades of the adult leaves which are exposed to full sunlight. Again, some other species shows unique features where all the leaves are of the needle type which are connected at the base whereas in others they gradually merge with the stem. The hard leaves of juniper are very sharp and prickly at the edges. During the season of fall, the tips of the needles turn orange and in winter they are of the shades of plum.

The female seed cones of juniper come with a specific distinction. A berry like structure is formed by the fleshly scales which are like fruits with almost a dozen seeds. In certain species of juniper, the berries are reddish brown or orange whereas in most case the colour is blue.