Is Juniper Toxic?

Abstract

Foraging-educator guide: identifies common juniper (Juniperus communis) as the widely used edible species and savin juniper (Juniperus sabina) as toxic and to be avoided (as little as six drops of its oil can be toxic). Common juniper has sharp-pointed needle-like leaves in whorls of three, whereas ornamental junipers such as savin have scale-like foliage; foragers are warned to be cautious harvesting juniper from cultivated landscapes such as yards and parks where toxic savin is a popular ornamental. Anchors the common-versus-savin confusion and the needle-whorl-of-three versus scale-leaf test.