Resurrection Plant

Appearance

The striking feature of ''Selaginella lepidophylla'' is its adaptation to conditions of prolonged drought in its natural environment. It deploys the physiological strategy of drying up and rolling inwards in the absence of water to form a ball, and can survive for up to several years, and lose up to 95% of its moisture content, without suffering damage.

When ground and air humidity begin to rise again, even a considerable time after it has wilted, the plant "resuscitates". If rehydrated, it continues its life cycle, fully recovering its photosynthesis and growth abilities. When desiccated, its rooted leaves become leathery at the base, appearing dark brown or light to reddish brown.

The dry ball opens a few hours after being placed in contact with water, the parched leaves gradually resuming their green colour. If the roots are not too damaged, the plant may survive in pozzolanic ash. No matter how dried or damaged it becomes, because of the particular biological structure of its leaves the plant retains the ability to imbibe water and unfold itself, even many years after its death.

The plant enters a dormant state in the absence of water, avoiding tissue and cell damage during drying by synthesizing trehalose, a crystallized sugar that acts as a compatible solute. Dissolved salts become concentrated in the plant tissues as water evaporates. The trehalose produced by the plant acts in place of the evaporating water, so preventing the salts from causing damage and protecting against death due to an excess of salinity. ''S. lepidophylla'' also uses betaines, substances which have the same function as trehalose.

Once water is restored to the plant tissues, the sugar crystals dissolve and the plant's metabolism, until then paralyzed, reactivates. Leaves that seemed dead turn green, and open.

Naming

Common names for this plant include flower of stone, false rose of Jericho, rose of Jericho, resurrection plant, resurrection moss, dinosaur plant, ''siempre viva'', stone flower, and ''doradilla''.

''Selaginella lepidophylla'' is not to be confused with ''Anastatica''. Both species are resurrection plants and form tumbleweeds. They share the common name "rose of Jericho", in reference to the biblical city of Jericho, constantly reborn from its ashes. Similarly, the capacity of ''S. lepidophylla'' for revival on rehydration allows it to resurrect and resume growth after long periods of drought.

Uses

''Selaginella lepidophylla'' is sold as a novelty item, as bare root stock in its dry state, in which it may be revived with only a little water.

The plant's ability to survive extreme desiccation was noted by Spanish missionaries when they reached the New World, including the area that was to become the United States. The missionaries used ''S. lepidophylla'' to demonstrate to potential native converts the concept of being reborn. Because of its properties, the false rose of Jericho was considered a lucky charm, and was passed on in families from generation to generation.

''Selaginella lepidophylla'' has been used as a herbal medicine. An infusion is made by steeping a tablespoon of dried material in hot water, and the resulting tea is used as an antimicrobial to treat colds and sore throat.

In Mexico, ''S. lepidophylla'' is sold as a diuretic. Women drink the water in which the plant is soaked to facilitate childbirth. The speed at which the plant blossoms in the water is interpreted as an indication of whether the delivery will be easy or difficult.

The plant is also used in the rites of voodoo and Cuban ''santería'' to invoke love and fortune. The plant is said to absorb "negative energy" when worn on the body.