Microbiota decussata
| Microbiota decussata | |
|---|---|
| |
| Microbiota decussata in Shkotovsky District, Primorsky Krai, Russia | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | Cupressales |
| Family: | Cupressaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cupressoideae |
| Genus: | Microbiota Kom. |
| Species: | M. decussata
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| Binomial name | |
| Microbiota decussata | |
| |
Microbiota is a monotypic genus of evergreen coniferous shrubs in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only one species, Microbiota decussata (Siberian cypress,[1] or Russian arborvitae[2]). The plant is native and endemic to a limited area of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in Primorskiy Krai in the Russian Far East.[3] The genus name Microbiota is not to be confused with the term "microbiota" for the range of micro-organisms of a life system. The genus name is derived from micro-, meaning "small", + Biota, a synonym of the genus Platycladus, a closely related conifer genus with the sole species Platycladus orientalis.[4][5]
Description
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Microbiota decussata is a prostrate shrub growing to 20–50 cm (8–20 in) in height, and spreading 2–5 m (6.6–16.4 ft) in 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 eight months from pollination, and have four 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.[6]
Taxonomy
[edit]The monotypic genus Microbiota was discovered in 1921 and described in 1923,[7] 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 been suggested from its cone structure and development, but not widely followed, that Microbiota could be included in the closely related genus Platycladus.[8] Other fairly close relatives are the genera Juniperus and Cupressus.
Cultivation
[edit]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.[6][9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Farjon, A. (2013). "Microbiota decussata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T30750A2796100. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T30750A2796100.en. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Microbiota decussata (Russian arborvitae) description". The Gymnosperm Database. 2025-02-10. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ "Microbiota decussata". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- ^ Fu, Liguo; Yu, Yong-fu; Adams, Robert P.; Farjon, Aljos. "Platycladus orientalis". Flora of China. Vol. 4 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
- ^ "Biota Endl.". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Garden.
- ^ a b "RHS Plant Selector - Microbiota decussata". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
- ^ Komarov, Vladimir Leontjevich. 1923. Botanicheskie Materialy Gerbariya Glavnogo Botanicheskogo Sada RSFSR 4 (23/24): 180.
- ^ Jagel, A.; Dörken, V. M. (2015). "Morphology and morphogenesis of the seed cones of the Cupressaceae - part II Cupressoideae" (PDF). Bull. Cupressus Cons. Proj. 4 (2): 51–78. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 64. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
External links
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