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"Rose of Jericho" is a name given to two plants:
- Anastatica
hierochuntica, which grows naturally in northern Africa and
southwest Asia
- Selaginella
lepidophylla, which is native to Southwest United States and
Central America
These plants have the remarkable ability to survive in a
curled up, dormant, brown, dessicated state for years, and then open up
and turn green with a bit of water. After returning to a lovely green,
they go dormant again when their water source is removed, and can be
revived again after dormancy. This cycle can be repeated for years.
The skeptical, accusatory Sir Thomas Browne, in his Pseudodoxia
Epidemica, or "Vulgar Errors" (1646), wrote about Anastatica
hierochuntica:
The Rose of
Jericho, that flourishes every year just about Christmas Eve, is famous
in Christian reports; which notwithstanding we have some reason to
doubt, and are plainly informed by Bellonius, it is but a Monastical
imposture, as he hath delivered in his observations, concerning the
Plants in Jericho. That which promoted the conceit, or perhaps begot
its continuance, was a propriety in this Plant. For though it be dry,
yet will it upon imbibition of moisture dilate its leaves, and
explicate its flowers contracted, and seemingly dried up. And this is
to be effected not only in the Plant yet growing, but in some manner
also in that which is brought exuccous and dry unto us. Which quality
being observed, the subtilty of contrivers did commonly play this shew
upon the Eve of our Saviours Nativity, when by drying the Plant again,
it closed the next day, and so pretended a double mystery: referring
unto the opening and closing of the womb of Mary.
In any case, the plant is often kept dormant in the home --
sometimes handed down through the generations -- and brought out at
Christmas time, along with the Christmas decorations, to blossom for a
while and adorn the Christmas table, and then close, all symbolizing
the opening and closing of Mary's womb.
The plant in its dry state:
When in nature in
this state, it blows about the desert like tumbleweed until it lands at
a site with water. Then it drinks in the moisture and opens up to look
like this:
The plant is
usually sold in its dormant state. There is no need to plant it in
soil: simply place it in a bowl of water and it will open up and turn
green within hours. Change the water daily, and when ready to put it
away, just let it dry out for a week.
Information from various websites indicates it can be kept green most
of the year and used as an indoor plant, but that it should be allowed
to go dormant periodically.
Other names these plants are known by include: Resurrection Plant,
Jericho Rose, Siempre Viva (meaning "Everlasting"), Spike Moss, and
Dinosaur Plant.
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