Perennial from the Saxifragaceae family, section Trachyphyllum, native to the Caucasus and the mountains of northeastern Turkey. It grows in rocky screes, rock crevices, and stony slopes at altitude, on siliceous or mixed substrates.
It forms dense and rounded cushions, with an almost mossy appearance, composed of highly branched stems covered with small linear-needle-like leaves, stiff and spiky, bright green to dark green, which gives it its epithet in reference to the juniper. The evergreen leaves often take on brownish to reddish hues at the edges, particularly visible at the end of the season or in dry conditions, contrasting with the bright green of the new shoots.
The bright yellow flowers are gathered in small tight corymbs borne at the base of the cushion on short peduncles. Their protruding stamens give them a slightly bristly appearance, very recognizable. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from May to July depending on the altitude. In cultivation, it generally occurs in May-June.
It requires a sunny exposure, a very well-drained soil, poor to moderately rich, preferably acidic to neutral. It does not tolerate stagnant moisture well. Perfectly suited for alpine troughs and mineral rock gardens with a mountainous character.