Rose of Jericho

The botanical name is Anastatica hierochuntica. This herbaceous plant belongs to the family Selaginellaceae, being the only representative of the genus Anastatica.

It grows in arid areas in the Negev and Sahara Desert, including locations of North Africa, Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, and Iran. It can be also commonly known as Resurrection Plant, Rosa Mariae, Rose of the Virgin, Dinosaur plant, Holy Night Rose, etc.

Rose of Jericho represents a small desert herbaceous plant with branches rolling into a tight ball once it is dry. The ball opens out once it is wet. Its average length is about15 cm. Anastatica produces tiny white-colored blooms.

After the rainy days, the Rose of Jericho dies. Being dried up, it curls its stems into a tight ball. This defends the seeds and does not allow them from to be break up prematurely. Anastatica’s seeds are extremely hardy and are capable to be dormant for a long period of time.

Rose of Jericho

Anastatica hierochuntica
By Kristian Peters - under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2

Resurrection Plant

Anastatica hierochuntica plant
By Nikswieweg - Klaus Polak