Selaginella lepidophylla

Common Name: Resurrection Plant, Rose of Jericho

Family: Selaginellaceae

Country of Origin: southwestern USA to Mexico

Description: The Resurrection Plant, Selaginella lepidophylla, is native to certain arid regions of the southwestern USA and Mexico. Mature plants form a flat rosette of densely tufted branched stems with stiff scale-like leaves.

S. lepidophylla shows an interesting xerophytic adaptation: it is poikilohydric. In response to severe water stress, the plant contracts and curls up. In this dehydrated condition it is able to tolerate long periods of drought. During subsequent irrigation the plant rapidly unfurls and resumes active growth.

The response can be effectively demonstrated in the classroom. Simply soak a specimen in water for one or more hours. The plant will unfurl and remain in this condition as long as moisture is available. When allowed to dry, the plant will again curl up.

Accession #: 202400014

Accession Date: 2024-03-04 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 2209

Quantity: 1

Source: John Korte - Bio 1110 extras

Provenance:

Dry, packaged, probably wild-collected 'resurrection plants' sold as a novelty, via teaching lab coordinator John Korte

Division: Lycopodiophyta

Class: Lycopodiopsida

Subclass: fern relatives

Order: Selaginellales

Family: Selaginellaceae