Microbiota decussata - Siberian Carpet Cypress

This is a really fascinating member of the Cupressaceae family. It is a low-growing, spreading groundcover often called Siberian Carpet Cypress. Microbiota decussata was discovered in the far reaches of Russian Siberia. It is native and endemic to a limited area of the Sikhote-Alin mountains in Primorskiy Krai. It was discovered in 1923, but due to Soviet political secrecy was unknown to the rest of the world until the 1970s. It is planted as an ornamental and survives well in Maine.