| Microbiota | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Pinales |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Genus: | Microbiota |
| Species: | M. decussata |
| Binomial name | |
| Microbiota decussata Kom. |
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Microbiota is a monotypic] genus of evergreen coniferous shrub in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only one species, Microbiota decussata. The plant is native and endemic to a limited area of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in Primorsky Krai - in the Russian Far East region of Western Siberia in Northeast Asia.
Microbiota decussata has never acquired a vernacular or common name in English, though Siberian Cypress and Russian Arborvitae have been proposed.
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The monotypic taxon Microbiota was discovered in 1923, but political secrecy in the former Soviet Union prevented any knowledge of its existence outside the country for around 50 years.
It generally accepted as being a distinct genus. It has also been suggested, but not widely followed, that Microbiota could be included in the closely related genus Platycladus. Other fairly close relatives are the genera Juniperus and Cupressus.
Microbiota decussata is a small, low-growing shrub growing to 20–50 centimetres (0.66–1.6 ft) in height, and 2–5 metres (6.6–16 ft) in spreading width. The foliage forms in flat sprays with scale-like leaves 2–4 mm long.
The cones are among the smallest of any conifer, 2–3 mm long, green ripening brown in about 8 months from pollination, and have 4 scales arranged in two opposite pairs. The seeds are 2 mm long, with no wing; there is usually only one seed in each cone, rarely two.
Microbiota decussata' is grown as an ornamental plant for use as a evergreen groundcover in gardens and public landscapes. It is valued for its drought tolerance and considerable cold temperature and winter season conditions tolerance.