Platycladus is a distinct genus of evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only one species, Platycladus orientalis, also known as Chinese Arborvitae or Biota. It is native to northwestern China and widely naturalised elsewhere in Asia east to Korea and Japan, south to northern India, and west to northern Iran. Characteristics Although generally accepted as only member of its genus, it has been suggested that the closely related species Microbiota decussata coul… (More on Platycladus)