Juniperus lutchuensis was first described by Gen'ichi Koidzumi in 1918, with Okinawa Island the type locality.[1]: 138 In 1962, Satake Yoshisuke [ja] treated it as a variety of Juniperus taxifolia.[2] Some authors[6] treat it as a synonym of Juniperus taxifolia from the Bonin Islands, while others treat it as a variety of it, Juniperus taxifolia var. lutchuensis. It is probably best considered a separate species as it has a distinct DNA profile clearly different from J. taxifolia.[3]
Description
Juniperus lutchuensis is an evergreenconiferousshrub growing to a height of 1–3 metres (3+1⁄2–10 ft). Its many branches may spread some 2–4 metres (6+1⁄2–13 ft).[5] The leaves are needle-like, in whorls of three, light green, 7–14 millimetres (1⁄4–1⁄2 in) long and 1–1.5 mm broad, with a double white stomatal band (split by a green midrib) on the inner surface. It is dioecious, with separate male and female plants.
The seed cones are berry-like, green ripening in 18 months to purple-brown; they are spherical, 8–9 mm diameter, and have three or six fused scales in one or two whorls of three; the three larger scales each bear a single seed. The seeds are dispersed when birds eat the cones, digesting the fleshy scales and passing the hard seeds in their droppings. The pollen cones are yellow, 5 mm long.[3]
Much of its habitat has been lost due to coastal development and revetments, and it has also often been taken from the wild for use in gardens and bonsai.[5] Its conservation status is uncertain, but it is rare and may become threatened.[3] In the 2018 Okinawa Red Data Book, Juniperus taxifolia var. lutchuensis is assessed as Endangered.[5]
^ abSatake Yoshisuke[in Japanese] (1962). オキナワハイネズに関する問題 [Problems Relating to the Ryukyu Juniper]. Bulletin of the National Science Museum. National Science Museum. 6 (2): 187–247.
