Junipers are known for their wide variety of species, and both their prickly and soft needles. This tree comes from Europe, Asia, and Africa and can reach 4 to 15 meters high depending on the variety. Able to withstand very poor soils and high altitudes, the species is well adapted to Mediterranean conditions. Its Latin name, Juniperus, seem to come from the peculiarity that its young berries grow at the same time that the ripe berries fall.