The most important ingredient in gin is under threat from disease in the UK.
The juniper berry, which gives the spirit its particular taste and makes it legally “gin”, has been found to be in decline by wildlife conservationists in Scotland.
Amateur group Plantlife has warned that juniper is in a “critical state” because of a deadly fungal disease called phytophthora austrocedrae.
It is not the first warning about juniper, but a survey by the group shows 63 per cent of bushes above the border appear to be brown or orange – instead of green with purple berries – as a result of the pathogen.
Deborah Long, head of Plantlife Scotland, said the future of juniper “must be ensured.”
“We know juniper populations are struggling, but they now face an additional threat,” she told the BBC.
“It is thanks to these citizen scientists who have been helping us monitor the species, that we can start working with land owners to help juniper communities become more resistant to the threats they face.”
The coniferous tree is already one of the rarest plants in the UK with only 400 hectares left, according to The Woodland Trust – although it is comfortably widespread around the world.
