Stand in Jety-Ogyz, Kirgizstan (Vladimir Dinets, e-mail 30-Jan-2000).
Common Names
Var. turkestanica is called Archa [Russian] (Vladimir Dinets, e-mail 30-Jan-2000).
Taxonomic notes
Synonymy (Farjon 1998):
- Sabina fischeri Antoine 1857
- Sabina pseudosabina (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Cheng & Wang 1975
- Juniperus sabina Pall. 1776 non L. 1753
- Juniperus centrasiatica Komarov 1924
- Sabina centrasiatica (Kom.) Cheng & Fu 1978
- Juniperus turkestanica Komarov 1924
- Sabina pseudosabina var. turkestanica (Kom.) Yang 1978
- Juniperus pseudosabina var. turkestanica (Kom.) Silba 1984
Recent studies using random amplification of polymorphic DNA show that taxa variously described as J. pseudosabina, J. centrasiatica and J. turkestanica form a continuum of variation, with variability between populations of comparable magnitude to variability between species. These results are supported by terpene analyses. Published morphological distinctions between the three taxa are either inconclusive, or incorrect as shown by observations of the taxa in their native range and by inspection of herbarium material (lectotypes). These lines of evidence also fail to support the variety J. pseudosabina var. turkestanica. In contrast, the same analysis supported segregation of Juniperus indica as a valid species (Adams and Turuspekov 1998).
Description
"A smaller erect shrub, similar to J. sabina in habit. FOLIAGE scale-like, 1-3 mm long and gray-green. FRUIT ovate, up to 12 mm long, black, with one seed" (Vidakovic 1991).It can also grow as a small tree (Adams and Turuspekov 1998).
Range
Data are a bit incomplete at this time, but it generally seems to occur throughout much of China: Xinjiang and neighboring areas including SE Kazakstan, Kirghizstan, Tadzhikstan and SW Mongolia, perhaps reaching into N Afghanistan or Pakistan (Vidakovic 1991, Adams and Turuspekov 1998, Vladimir Dinets e-mail 30-Jan-2000). This range would include the Tian Shan and Altai, Pamir and Tarbagatay Mountains (Vidakovic 1991, Vladimir Dinets e-mail 30-Jan-2000). Dinets adds: "[Var. turkestanica] and J. semiglobosa form extensive woodlands or even forests in some areas, from Transcaucasia to Xinjiang. They are logged to extinction for firewood in many areas, but under strict protection in others."Big Tree
Oldest
Dendrochronology
Ethnobotany
Observations
Remarks
See Also
Farjon (2005) provides a detailed account, with illustrations.
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This page is from the Gymnosperm Database
URL: http://www.conifers.org/cu/ju/pseudosabina.htm
Edited by Christopher J. Earle
Last modified on 2007.05.30