Resurrection Bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Resurrection Bush
• Resurrection Plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Myrothamnus flabellifolius subsp. robustus
• Cliffortia flabellifolia
• Myrothamnus flabellifolius subsp. elongatus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Gunnerales. Finally, it is classified within the family Myrothamnaceae under the genus Myrothamnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several regions across the African continent. Within West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its presence extends into East Tropical Africa, where it grows in both Kenya and Tanzania. Moving toward the southern reaches, the species is documented in the South Tropical Africa region of Angola. Finally, the plant is also distributed within South Tropical Africa in Malawi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Myrothamnus flabellifolius is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse altitudinal gradients, allowing it to thrive across various topographical landscapes. This species exhibits a broad ecological plasticity, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 365 m AMSL to a maximum of 1850 m AMSL. This significant vertical distribution suggests an adaptability to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability found between lowland and montane environments. Such a range indicates that the plant can successfully compete and establish itself in diverse microclimates, ranging from warmer, more humid lower elevations to cooler, potentially more seasonal higher-altitude habitats.

Elevational range max:

1850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

365 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Myrothamnus flabellifolius is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and biological functions over multiple years rather than completing its cycle in a single season. As a perennial, the plant establishes a long-term presence in its habitat, allowing it to undergo repeated cycles of growth, flowering, and seed production. This extended lifecycle enables the species to accumulate biomass and develop robust root systems, which contribute to its ability to survive seasonal fluctuations and environmental stressors. Through its multi-year existence, it can stabilize its population within its ecological niche, transitioning through various stages of maturity and reproductive maturity across successive growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Myrothamnus flabellifolius is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, displaying a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, vine, or liana. It is a terrestrial plant, existing independently without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.89 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.89 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Myrothamnus flabellifolius involves the development of specialized fruit structures, specifically characterized by the production of a follicle. The seeds contained within these fruits are notably minute, exhibiting a highly consistent mass profile. The seed mass ranges from a minimum of 2e-05 g to a maximum of 4e-05 g, with a calculated mean seed mass of 3e-05 g.

Fruit type :

follicle

Seed mass max:

4e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

3e-05 g

Seed mass min:

2e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Myrothamnus flabellifolius has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Stem

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Myrothamnus flabellifolius has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include polyphenols.

polyphenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Myrothamnus flabellifolius has 8 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiarthritic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiarthritic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiulcer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Myrothamnus flabellifolius has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, asthma, bacterial infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations