Ginepro

This common plant, similar to the pine but much more prickly, grows mainly around the coasts in Italy as well as on the Tuscan Apennines, Sardinia and the Nordic Pre-Alps. The juniper berry is green, ripening to black, and has a slightly resinous flavour that is at its best when the berries are fresh and lightly crushed before use. Well-known for its use in the distillation of gin, it is widely used in marinades and meat dishes, especially game.