Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; British Columbia, to Oregon and Nevada, east to Nebraska.

Habitat: Coastal islands to inland valleys and lower mountains.

Cones: May-June

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Wind

Dioecious, usually a rounded to columnar tree up to 10 m. tall, but sometimes a sprawling shrub only 1 m. tall.

Bark reddish-brown, becoming scaly or fibrous and stringy.

Leaves opposite, scale-like, usually with an inconspicuous gland on the leaf surface; juvenile leaves needle-like, 5-7 mm. long, often persistent until tree is nearly mature.

Staminate cones ovoid, 3-5 mm. long, with 12-16 stamens; ovulate cones berry-like, bluish-purple and glaucous, 5-6 mm. long, 1- to 2-seeded.