Everything about Platycladus totally explained
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.
Although generally accepted as only member of its genus, it has been suggested that the closely related species
Microbiota decussata could be included in
Platycladus, but this isn't widely followed. Other fairly close relatives are the genera
Juniperus and
Cupressus, both of these genera being
graft-compatible with
Platycladus. In older texts,
Platycladus was often included in
Thuja, but it's only distantly related to that genus. Differences from
Thuja include its distinct cones, wingless seeds, and its almost scentless foliage.
It is a small, slow-growing tree, to 15-20 m tall and 0.5 m trunk diameter (exceptionally to 30 m tall and 2 m diameter in very old trees). The foliage forms in flat sprays with scale-like
leaves 2-4 mm long. The
cones are 15-25 mm long, green ripening brown in about 8 months from pollination, and have 6-12 thick scales arranged in opposite pairs. The
seeds are 4-6 mm long, with no wing.
The common name 'arborvitae' is from Latin, 'tree of life', and is based on its association with long life and vitality in
Buddhist thought in China. This is probably based on the tree's unchanging
evergreen nature in the cold dry climate of northwest China, and its longevity; some of the larger specimens planted around Buddhist
temples in China are said to be in excess of 1,000 years old.
Uses
It is very widely used as an ornamental tree, both in its homeland, where it's associated with long life and vitality, and very widely elsewhere in
temperate climates. The
wood is used in Buddhist temples, both for construction work, and chipped, for
incense burning.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Platycladus'.
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