resurrection-plant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• resurrection-plant
• rose-of-Jericho
• dinosaur plant
• false rose of Jericho
• resurrection moss

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lycopodium lepidophyllum
• Selaginella rediviva
• Lepidoselaginella lepidophylla
• Lycopodioides lepidophylla

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Selaginella lepidophylla is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing it to persist through varying environmental conditions over multiple years. As a lycophyte, its development is defined by a complex alternation of generations, typically involving a dominant sporophyte stage that undergoes specialized physiological adaptations to survive extreme desiccation. The plant exhibits a remarkable ability to enter a state of metabolic suspension, curling into a tight, brown ball when moisture is scarce and rapidly unfurling into a green, active state upon rehydration. This survival strategy enables the plant to endure prolonged periods of drought in arid habitats, resuming its growth and reproductive processes once favorable hydration levels are restored.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Selaginella lepidophylla is characterized by a terrestrial growth habit, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic dependencies. It presents a non-woody structure, manifesting primarily as a herbaceous forb. In terms of its physical orientation, the plant is self-supporting, categorized as neither a liana nor a vine, as it does not require external climbing structures to maintain its form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Selaginella lepidophylla has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Amentoflavone, Robustaflavone, trehalose.

Amentoflavone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of AOAC International

Robustaflavone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of AOAC International

trehalose

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of AOAC International

Activities

Selaginella lepidophylla has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Diuretic.

Diuretic

1. Urolithiasis

Conditions

Selaginella lepidophylla has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gastrointestinal disorders, Urolithiasis, diuresis, fungi, hypertension.

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association

Urolithiasis

1. Urolithiasis

Diuresis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fungi

1. Journal of medicinal food

Hypertension

1. Journal of intercultural ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Selaginella lepidophylla has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanolic extracts, decoction, methanolic extracts.

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of medicinal food

Decoction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of medicinal food