Selaginella lepidophylla (Hook. & Grev.) Spring
- Common Name: Resurrection Plant, Rose of Jericho
- Family: Selaginellaceae Milde.
- Country of Origin: southwestern USA to Mexico
- Habitat: Rocky areas in the Chihuahuan Desert
- Description: The Resurrection Plant, Selaginella lepidophylla, is native to certain arid regions of the southwestern USA and Mexico. Mature plants form a flat rosette of densely tufted branched stems with stiff scale-like leaves.
S. lepidophylla shows an interesting xerophytic adaptation: it is poikilohydric. In response to severe water stress, the plant contracts and curls up. In this dehydrated condition it is able to tolerate long periods of drought. During subsequent irrigation the plant rapidly unfurls and resumes active growth.
The response can be effectively demonstrated in the classroom. Simply soak a specimen in water for one or more hours. The plant will unfurl and remain in this condition as long as moisture is available. When allowed to dry, the plant will again curl up.
Accession Data:
- Accession # 202400014
- Source: John Korte - Bio 1110 extras
- Provenance:
Dry, packaged, probably wild-collected 'resurrection plants' sold as a novelty, via teaching lab coordinator John Korte
- Accession Date: 03-04-2024
- Bench: 2209 - XER:Mohave/Great Basin
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 1 confirmed on 04-20-2025
Classification:
- Division: Lycopodiophyta
- Class: Lycopodiopsida
- SubClass: fern relatives
- Order: Selaginellales
- SubOrder:
- Family: Selaginellaceae
- SubFamily:
- Tribe:
- SubTribe:
References (internal):
References (external):
data regenerated on Sun, 20 Apr 2025 11:03:13 -0400 [bcm v4.0]
= indicates flowering in past 14 days
= accession added within past 90 days