Juniperus communis (Juniper)

Spreading shrub with spring foliage of grey/green. Has small ovate grey/green fruits. The berries appear on female trees in September but take three years to ripen, turning from green to blue to black. The berries are best known for their flavouring in gin but have been used in dry-spice mixtures and brine for curing beef, ham and salt pork. Extracts traditionally used to produce abortion and as an insecticide. Work tools were also fashioned from its wood.