Microbiota decussata

Microbiota is a monotypic genus of evergreen coniferous shrub in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only one species, Microbiota decussata (Siberian carpet cypress, Russian arbor-vitae). The plant is native and endemic to a limited area of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in Primorskiy Krai in the Russian Far East.[1] The name causes much confusion because of other meanings for the word "microbiota", but the genus name was derived from micro-, meaning "small", + Biota, the genus name for a closely related conifer, a species formerly called Biota orientalis, now renamed Platycladus orientalis.[2][3]

Close-up of scale-like leaves.

Microbiota decussata

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Cupressaceae
Subfamily: Cupressoideae
Genus: Microbiota
Kom.
Species:
M. decussata
Binomial name
Microbiota decussata
Kom.

Description

Microbiota decussata is a prostrate shrub to 20–50 cm (8–20 in) in height, and 2–5 m (6.6–16.4 ft) in spreading width. The foliage forms 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. The foliage sometimes turns brown in winter, giving the impression that the plant has died; but it revives in spring.[4]

Taxonomy

The monotypic taxon Microbiota was discovered in 1923,[5] but political secrecy in the former Soviet Union prevented any knowledge of its existence outside the country for around 50 years.

Microbiota is 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.

Cultivation

Microbiota decussata is grown as an ornamental plant for use as evergreen groundcover in gardens and parks. It is valued for its drought tolerance and considerable cold temperature and winter season conditions tolerance. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][6]

gollark: Here's a "helpful" illustration.
gollark: Consider the scenario: there are two boxes before you. One of the boxes (let us call it "A") is transparent and contains £10000, which you can see. The other box ("B") is opaque. It contains £1000000 if and only if the entity running this weird scenario predicted (beforehand) that you'll take box B and not box A. Historically, it has been right the vast majority of the time about this. Your options are to take both boxes, or just to take B. What do?!
gollark: Anyway, while I exist, Newcomb's paradox is a fun if not particularly related problem in decision theory.
gollark: When have I *ever* said false things?
gollark: I don't believe in beds.

References
  1. "Microbiota decussata". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. Fu, Liguo; Yu, Yong-fu; Adams, Robert P.; Farjon, Aljos. "Platycladus orientalis". Flora of China. 4 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  3. "Biota Endl.". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden.
  4. "RHS Plant Selector - Microbiota decussata". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  5. Komarov, Vladimir Leontjevich. 1923. Botanicheskie Materialy Gerbariya Glavnogo Botanicheskogo Sada RSFSR 4(23/24): 180.
  6. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 64. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
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