Liisa's Sharebook 

The world contains many mysterious plants, animals and creations. The adaptation of a species to its climate is one of the greatest feats any creature can endure. Selaginella lepidophylla, or the Resurrection plant, or even the Rose of Jericho, or Siempre Viva can be classified under the lycopod, both a moss and a fern. The plant has become a wildly popular attraction for tourism in the Texas and Arizona area, a novelty plant.

The plants primitive behavior and simple adaptations have forced the desert specie to cope with water loss over long periods of time. Ultimately, the plant performs exactly as it name says, the act of resurrection. The plants period of dehydration has forced it to essentially ‘curl up and die’ to save on energy. Water is collected during a storm, utilized then the plant closes its leaves.

Its history can be dated back hundreds of millions of years as its relatives once were giant trees over one hundred feet high mainly existing in swamp lands. Over the next few million annum, the world shifted, forcing the Resurrection plant to evolve. The modern plant today though is roughly 10 cm in height.

The plant is also able to roll into a small ball when in its dehydrated state in order to catch the wind to be brought near a water source. The more interesting part is that this plant can stay closed in its dead like fashion for several years if needed. But every time it senses a droplet of rain, the plant will undergo a rebirth to live a few years more.