Juniperus macropoda

Union tree of Ladakh (India).

The Juniper of Sacrifice, commonly known as Persian Juniper, is species of juniper native to western Asia. It has different common names such as Himalayan Pencil Cedar and ‘Turkistan Juniper’. (Juniperus macropoda/Juniperus polycarpos) locally known as Shukpa. is deeply rooted in the cultural, religious practices of the locals and considered as one of the most sacred trees among the Buddhist. The study showed that J. polycarpos has been used as raw material for aromatic incenses preparation, timber in construction of Buddhist monasteries, medicinal plant by local healers, fuel wood and fodder, making of household articles and for decoration of Lha-thos in Ladakh wazarat region. It also ranges further east into Central Asia and Northern Pakistan, is sometimes treated as a variety of J. polycarpos.