Prickly Juniper
Prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus, Cupressaceae)
Ibicencan: ginebre
French: genévrier cade, oxycèdre
The cones of the junipers look very much like fruits and are widely known as "berries" although, botanically speaking, this is not correct. The cones of this species (as well as of some other species in other parts of Europe) are eaten as a condiment. They support the digestion and serve as appetizers.
The essential oil of the juniper is used externally against rheumatism - for what purpose on the Pityuse Islands traditionally the twigs of certain Phoenician junipers are used.
On Ibiza the traditional castanets are made from juniper wood.
