Platycladus is a distinct genus of evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only one species, Platycladus orientalis. It was previously known as Thuja orientalis and is still sold under that name by some nurseries and seed sellers. It is commonly known as Chinese Thuja, Oriental Arborvitae, Chinese Arborvitae, Biota Thuja or Oriental Thuja. It is native to north-western China, Korea, and the Russian Far East. It is a small, slow-growing tree, to 15 to 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 24 mm long. The cones are 15 to 25 mm long, green ripening brown in about eight months from pollination, and have 6 to 12 thick scales arranged in opposite pairs. The seeds are 4 to 6 mm long, with no wing. It is used as an ornamental tree, both in its homeland, where it is 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.