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GYMNOSPERMS OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYA. 1. THE GENUS JUNIPERUS (CUPRESSACEAE)

G.H. DAR AND K.I. CHRISTENSEN*

Abstract: A thorough study of an extensive collection of herbarium specimens and literature of Juniperus (Cupressaceae) from the Western Himalaya, during our work on gymnosperms of this region, has revealed that the taxonomy of West Himalayan Junipers has been confusing. A total of up to 6 taxa have been reported from this region by various earlier workers under a large number of specific and infraspecific names, most of which are synonyms. Seven taxa are recognised from the Western Himalaya in the present study: one belonging to Juniperus Sect. Juniperus, J. communis var. saxatilis, and the other six to J. Sect. Sabina. The latter section includes two acicular-leaved species, J. squamata and J. recurva, and four scale-leaved species: two multiseed, J. semiglobosa and J. polycarpos, and two monoseed, J. wallichiana and J. pseudosabina.

Centre of Plant Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar - 190 006, India.

Botanic Garden, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2B, DK-1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
Corresponding Author: nudib@bot.ku.dk