Cedro-do-mato, cedro-das-ilhas, zimbro (Juniperus brevifolia)

Evergreen tree, up to 12 m. Leaves are linear-lanceolate, dark green, up to 10 mm long and 2 mm wide. Female cones are almost globose, up to 8 mm across, initially green, becoming brown. This characteristic species is dominant in the landscape of the islands from 500-900 m, though today only a few of the primitive communities of junipers and laurel trees remain. In the moist coastal areas of some islands, it descends practically to sea level, while in the mountainous region it is found above 1,500 m. Distribution encompasses the entire archipelago, except for Graciosa; fossil remains have apparently been reported for Madeira. Although the species itself is not clearly endangered, several communities are.