The Stiff-leaved juniper (Juniperus rigida) belongs to Cupressaceae (the Cypress family). It is a small evergreen tree that is distributed in Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, as well as the Korean Peninsula and northern China. This tree grows in hill to mountain ridges, barrens and all, and can reach 5-10 m in height. The barks are reddish gray-brown and peel thinly. The leaves are needle-like and arranged three whorled. It is dioecious. The yellowish brown flowers appear at the axils of new branches around April. The fruits are globose and ripen next year's fall or two years later fall. Its Japanese name "Nezumi-sashi" comes from the fact that its branches are disliked by rats when placed in their path, so it was used to repel them. It is also known as "Nezu" in Japan. In Chinese, it is called "杜松" (du song).