A small, broadly conical tree to 15 m tall with a drooping habit, occasionally a shrub. Main branches ascending but the branchlets hanging down. Leaves needle-like, in 3's, 3-6 mm long, densely arranged, pointing forwards, the base extending down the stem, upper surface with a whitish band. Dead leaves persistent. Male and female cones on separate plants. Fruit 7-10 mm wide, ripening in the second year to a dark purplish brown and containing a single seed. var. coxii (a.b. Jacks.) Melville (j. coxii a.b. Jacks.), Coffin Juniper, the variety usually available, has branchlets that are longer and more pendulous than those of var. recurva, also leaves that are longer, about 6-8 or rarely 10 mm long, directed forwards and with a narrow, darkish midrib giving the impression of 2 bands.

N Burma.

Tree with hanging branchlets; needle leaves 6-10 mm long.

NSW: Leura ('Everglades'). VIC: Dandenongs ('Pirianda'). TAS: Hobart (Royal Tasmanian Bot. Gds).

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Cupressaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.