刺柏屬常綠灌木，原產韓國、日本九州濱海地區與日本海島嶼。葉片有兩種型態；刺葉披針形，三片交互輪生，常發生於幼樹或修剪後萌生的新枝。雄花黃色，雌花綠色。開花期春季，結果期夏季。

An evergreen shrub in the genus Juniperus, native to South Korea, coastal area of Kyushu, Japan and the East Sea islands. Two types of leaves; needles lanceolate, alternate in a whorl of 3, often grown on saplings or shoots after pruning. Male flowers yellow, female flowers green. Flowering in spring and fruiting in summer.

適合全日照環境。原生於海岸，因此具有耐旱與抗風性。介質使用排水良好的壤土。天然樹形緊緻且生長緩慢，一般不需要修剪。繁殖使用扦插、播種或空中壓條法。

The plant thrives in full sun environment. As a native plant to the coastal areas, it’s drought-tolerant and wind-resistant. Well-drained loam is preferred. The slow-growing tree is compact in style and generally doesn’t need pruning. Use cuttings, seeds or aerial layering to reproduce.

因低矮匍匐的特殊造型，常用於傳統庭園內的假山與水池之間來呈現獨特的美感。可成片種植於斜坡、駁坎作為水土保持的材料，於溫帶地區常作為地被植物使用。偃柏也是優良的盆景材料，柔軟的枝條可作各種纏繞塑形。

Valued for the procumbent shape, it is commonly grown between artificial rocks and ponds in traditional gardens to present a unique look of beauty. It can be also planted on slopes and rip raps for soil and water conservation; a common groundcover in temperate regions; also an excellent bonsai material because the soft branches can be created into various shapes.