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Juniperus sabina L.

Flora Europaea the original Linnean specimen shrub, Ph xeric to mesoxeric, a saxiphile-calciphile in our flora, from the upper nemoral to the boreal Central European-northern Mediterranean Elyno-Seslerietea, Juniperetum sabinae. R3115 habitat (where it is the dominant species)     This species is linked in southern and Central Europe to low altitude calcareous massifs where frequently it provides dense thickets. In the forest-steppe area from the south-eastern European Russia it is present in grasslands. Also this species does not pass the borders of Europe. It is the only 'thuja-like' conifer species from the flora of Romania and is frequently cultivated for ornamental purposes. Unfortunately in many of the limestone massifs from Romania (especially in the ones situated closer to large settlements) the species was totally or almost totally eradicated through burnings. Quite frequent in the southern and south-eastern Apuseni Mountains, it is very rare in the calcareous massifs from the rest of the Carpathians. The most consistent populations can be seen in Gilau-Muntele Mare Mountains (Scarita-Belioara massif) and in Trascau Mountains (Galditei and Turcului Gorges). Just to enjoy an aspect of biodiversity see this rather closely related species which replaces this one in the dense thickets of the Mediterranean Macchia. Scarita-Belioara massif, Gilau-Muntele Mare Mountains, Alba couunty, on 3rd of April 2010. dr. Alexandru Badarau, alexandru@transsilvanica.com Cheile Sugaului, Haghimas/Hasmas/Curmaturii Mountains, Neamt county, 12th of August 2010. dr. Alexandru Badarau, alexandru@transsilvanica.net