Juniper

Junipers in the Lake Louise and Banff area include common juniper (Juniperus communis) and Rocky Mountain juniper (J. scopulorum); evergreen conifers in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). Common juniper is a low, spreading shrub; Rocky Mountain juniper grows as a small tree. Both thrive in open forests, rocky slopes, and drier montane to subalpine habitats.

Identification: Common juniper has sharp, needle-like leaves in whorls of three and blue-black, berry-like cones (often called “juniper berries”) that take two to three years to ripen. Rocky Mountain juniper has scale-like leaves and similar fleshy cones. Creeping juniper (J. horizontalis) forms low mats in alpine and subalpine zones.

Traditional use: Juniper berries have been used for flavouring (notably gin), medicine, and smudging. Indigenous peoples used juniper for teas, poultices, and ceremonial purposes. The berries are also eaten by birds and small mammals.

The resort’s Juniper run on the Front Side; served by the Juniper Express chairlift; is named after these plants.