In graduating thesis is presented Prickly Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus L.), one of the four indigenous species of juniper in Slovenia. The aim of this study was to determine its geographical distribution, gender dimorphism, morphological variability among populations and within them and to examine the eventual presence of Juniperus macrocarpa Sibth. & Sm. in Slovenia. Prickly Juniper was found in Koper Area, at Dragonja Valley, on the Karst Edge in Sočerga and above Lijak in the Vipava Valley. The study analysed 11 populations, 136 trees, about 6800 leaves and 1600 cones. Nine morphological traits were studied on leaves and two on the cones. The largest leaves were found in the Koštabona population and the largest cones in Lijak. The average values of leaves size did not confirm the hypothesis of the presence of J. macrocarpa in the study area, as the measured values were significantly smaller than stated in the literature for this species. Average leaf shape in the study area is clearly %delta-shaped%, which is by R. P. Adams stated to be eventual new species J. deltoides R.P.Adams Gender dimorphism was found in all of the morphological traits of leaves, but different within individual populations. Most significantly different characteristics between genders were in Koštabona population and the least in the population of Labor.
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