Cypress family, Cupressaceae
Origin: European mountain ranges (non-native in the Czech Republic), Caucasus, Siberia, northern Mongolia
Habitat in the original area: mountain areas
Habitus: A shrubby tree, its maximum height is 2 metres. Twigs are round, thin, densely spaced and severally branched at the end.
Leaf: Scale-like leaves of dark green colour are pressed to the twig. They smell when crushed. The significantly longer needle-like leaves are sharply pointed and arranged oppositely.
Bloom, fruit: Fruits (galbules) grow on bent stalks. They are black-blue and frosty on the surface.
Interesting fact: The entire plant is poisonous. The essential oils contain terpenes that cause, among other things, vomiting, cramps and congestion in the pelvic area. That is why the plant was previously used as an abortifacient.
