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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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