savin juniper

The shrub is very variable in shape, up to 1–4 metres (3+1⁄2–13 feet) tall. The leaves are of two forms, juvenile needle-like leaves 5–10 millimetres (1⁄4–3⁄8 inch) long, and adult scale-leaves 1–2 mm long on slender shoots 0.8–1 mm thick. Juvenile leaves are found mainly on seedlings but mature shrubs sometimes continue to bear some juvenile leaves as well as adult, particularly on shaded shoots low in the crown. It is largely dioecious with separate male and female plants, but some individual plants produce both sexes. The cones are berry-like, 5–9 mm in diameter, blue-black with a whitish waxy bloom, and contain 1-3 (rarely 4 or 5) seeds; they are mature in about 18 months. The male cones are 2–4 mm long, and shed their pollen in early spring. All parts of the plant are poisonous due to several toxic compounds including ethereal oils. This plant is the alternate (telial) host of the Pear Rust fungus Gymnosporangium fuscum.

Juniperus sabina is a popular ornamental shrub in gardens and parks, with numerous named cultivars selected. Savin was used in abortifacient drugs in 19th-century America. In Iran, savin fruit (known as ابهل abhal) are a traditional remedy to alleviate urinary and digestive problems.