Selaginella lepidophylla
Selaginella lepidophylla, commonly known as the resurrection plant, is a remarkable lycopod celebrated for its ability to survive extreme dehydration. Renowned in traditional medicine, it is highly valued for its antioxidant properties and potential neuroprotective effects, offering promising therapeutic applications in combating oxidative stress and enhancing cognitive health.
- Scientific name: Selaginella lepidophylla
- Family: Selaginellaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into the subclass Lycopodiidae and the order Selaginellales, falling under the family Selaginellaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Selaginella.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Lycopodiidae | WCVP |
| Order | Selaginellales | WCVP |
| Family | Selaginellaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Selaginella | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Selaginella lepidophylla, is known by several distinctive common names across different languages, often referring to its unique ability to survive extreme dehydration. In German, it is called Unechte Rose von Jericho, while in Polish, it is referred to as Róża jerychońska. In Danish, the name is Jerikos Rose, and in Swedish, it is known as Falsk jerikoros, whereas in Dutch, it is commonly called Valse roos van Jericho.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Unechte Rose von Jericho | Wikidata |
| pl | Róża jerychońska | Wikidata |
| da | Jerikos Rose | Wikidata |
| sv | Falsk jerikoros | Wikidata |
| nl | Valse roos van Jericho | Wikidata |
| eo | Skvamfolia selaginelo | Wikidata |
| bg | йерихонска роза | Wikidata |
| ru | селагинелла чешуелистная | Wikidata |
| fi | peikonmähkä | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok Genggam Fatimah | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the South-Central United States and various regions of Mexico. Within the United States, its range includes the states of New Mexico and Texas. In Mexico, the species can be found throughout the central part of the country. Additionally, it extends into the northeastern territories of Mexico. The plant's distribution also covers the Gulf regions of Mexico.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South-Central U.S.A. | New Mexico | WCVP |
| South-Central U.S.A. | Texas | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the resurrection plant, is primarily utilized for its dried aerial parts, which consist of the intricate, moss-like fronds that have the unique ability to undergo desiccation and subsequent rehydration. In traditional medicinal practices, these dried stems and leaves are often prepared as a decoction, a process where the plant material is boiled in water to extract its active bioactive compounds. This liquid preparation is then used to harness the plant's purported antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| decoction | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Selaginella lepidophylla has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include amentoflavone, robustaflavone, trehalose.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| amentoflavone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| robustaflavone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trehalose | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Selaginella lepidophylla has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Diuretic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Selaginella lepidophylla has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastrointestinal disorders, Urolithiasis, diuresis, fungi, hypertension.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gastrointestinal disorders | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Urolithiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuresis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fungi | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |