Microbiota occurs as genus of evergreen coniferous shrub in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only a single metal money, Microbiota decussata. These are indigene to the limited metropolitan area of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in Primorsky Krai in the Russian Far East. It was found inside 1923 but political secrecy in the former Soviet Union prevented any knowledge of its being outside a Soviet Union for astir L years. It has never acquired the green English title, though Siberian Cypress has been proposed.

Although typically accepted when existence the distinct genus, it has been suggested that Microbiota can be involved in the closely related genus Platycladus, but this is non widely followed. More fairly close relatives come a genera Juniperus and Cupressus.

These are the little, on line-ground-hugging bush growing to 20-50 cm tall & Two-Five m spread. A foliage forms inside flat sprays using shell-prefer leaves 2-4 millimetre hanker. A cones are among the smallest of any coniferous tree, both-Three millimeter hanker, green ripening dark brown inside astir Ogdoad months from either pollenation, & keep around Quaternity scales intended around two paired pairs. A seeds are 2 millimeter yearn, by owning there are no wing; there exists commsole only 1 seed within every cone, seldom ii.

Uses
Microbiota is grown as an ornamental plant for ground cover, valued for its considerable wintertime cold tolerance.