The common juniper is a branching, evergreen, coniferous shrub from 9 to 12 m (30 to 40 ft) tall. The needles are arranged in whorls of three and are usually 1 to 2 cm long and 1 to 2 mm wide. The juniper is a dioecious species, i.e. individual shrubs bear only male, or only female flowers.
Apollo, the sun god of the Greeks and Romans, regarded as the perfection of masculine beauty, was depicted with a laurel wreath on his head. Caesar wore such a wreath on his triumphal marches, and modern-day winners of grand prix races are likewise honoured.
The poet's or wreath laurel is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean where it occurs as a relic of the Tertiary flora. It has simple, leathery leaves in the axils of which grow bunches of whitish flowers from which develop blue-black berries.
It may, however, also be used for marinating fish, with fatty meats, and to disguise the odour of cabbage or beets.
It did not attract renewed interest until after the Second World War but now it is common to grow the young plants in the home throughout the year. It is especially welcome when there are not many fresh greens to be had to make an aromatic salad that stimulates the appetite and is rich in Vitamin C. Cress may also be used to flavour other salads and also as a garnish for cold dishes and with cheese. It is generally not mixed with other seasonings and is used fresh, because cooking results in the loss of vitamins as well of the pleasant, mildly pungent flavour, which is replaced by an unpleasant odour. Young plants may be obtained quickly by sowing the seeds in dishes in soil, or simply on a piece of wet cotton or flannel on a plate.
Common juniper is distributed throughout practically the whole of the northern hemisphere from lowlands high up into the mountains. Propagation is by means of seeds, which germinate only after being exposed to frost. The fruits are harvested by hand. Gloves should be worn when doing this to prevent the prickly needles damaging the hands. The harvested berries are dried in thin layers in a shaded, well-ventilated spot at a temperature not exceeding 35C (95F) for otherwise they lose their potency.
Apollo, the sun god of the Greeks and Romans, regarded as the perfection of masculine beauty, was depicted with a laurel wreath on his head. Caesar wore such a wreath on his triumphal marches, and modern-day winners of grand prix races are likewise honoured.
The poet's or wreath laurel is an evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean where it occurs as a relic of the Tertiary flora. It has simple, leathery leaves in the axils of which grow bunches of whitish flowers from which develop blue-black berries.
It may, however, also be used for marinating fish, with fatty meats, and to disguise the odour of cabbage or beets.
It did not attract renewed interest until after the Second World War but now it is common to grow the young plants in the home throughout the year. It is especially welcome when there are not many fresh greens to be had to make an aromatic salad that stimulates the appetite and is rich in Vitamin C. Cress may also be used to flavour other salads and also as a garnish for cold dishes and with cheese. It is generally not mixed with other seasonings and is used fresh, because cooking results in the loss of vitamins as well of the pleasant, mildly pungent flavour, which is replaced by an unpleasant odour. Young plants may be obtained quickly by sowing the seeds in dishes in soil, or simply on a piece of wet cotton or flannel on a plate.
Common juniper is distributed throughout practically the whole of the northern hemisphere from lowlands high up into the mountains. Propagation is by means of seeds, which germinate only after being exposed to frost. The fruits are harvested by hand. Gloves should be worn when doing this to prevent the prickly needles damaging the hands. The harvested berries are dried in thin layers in a shaded, well-ventilated spot at a temperature not exceeding 35C (95F) for otherwise they lose their potency.
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