The False Rose of Jericho (Selaginella lepidophylla) is a peculiar desert organism known for its dramatic ability to “come back to life.” Often sold as the dinosaur plant or the resurrection plant, its reputation stems from its capacity to endure extreme desiccation for long periods. This impressive survival mechanism leads to its frequent confusion with the original, unrelated Rose of Jericho from the Middle East.
Defining the “False” Identity
The designation “false” distinguishes Selaginella lepidophylla from the true Rose of Jericho (Anastatica hierochuntica), despite their superficial resemblance when dried. The fundamental difference lies in their botanical classification. S. lepidophylla is a lycophyte, a member of the ancient spikemoss family, related to mosses and ferns. A. hierochuntica is a flowering plant belonging to the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Their geographical origins also differ; the False Rose of Jericho is native to the Chihuahuan Desert of the Southwestern United States and Mexico. The true Rose of Jericho is found across the arid regions of the Middle East and the Sahara Desert.
The key functional difference is that S. lepidophylla is a true resurrection plant. Its tissues remain alive in a dry, dormant state and resume metabolic activity upon rehydration. When it encounters water, the cells revive, and the fronds unfurl and turn green within hours. A. hierochuntica, however, is not a true resurrection plant. It is a tumbleweed where the parent plant dies after setting seed. Only the dead, woody tissues physically expand and contract with moisture changes, called hygroscopic movement. This means the false version genuinely revives and starts photosynthesis, maintaining viability through repeated dry-wet cycles.
The Resurrection Mechanism
The ability of Selaginella lepidophylla to survive nearly complete dehydration is known as desiccation tolerance. When faced with drought, the plant can lose up to 95% of its internal water content without fatal damage, remaining in a dormant state for years. This physical adaptation involves the fronds curling tightly inward, forming a dense ball to reduce surface area and minimize moisture loss. This movement is hydro-responsive, a mechanical reaction governed by the distribution of lignified cells within the stems.
At the cellular level, the plant activates a protective mechanism before water loss is complete. As water leaves the cells, specialized compounds called compatible solutes accumulate inside the tissues. Polyols like sorbitol and xylitol are abundant in S. lepidophylla and function to replace water molecules, stabilizing sensitive cellular components such as proteins and membranes. This stabilization prevents catastrophic damage that would otherwise occur when the cell shrinks, essentially vitrifying the cytoplasm into a glassy matrix until water returns. Once exposed to moisture, the plant rapidly absorbs water, the cells re-inflate, and metabolic functions like photosynthesis restart, completing the resurrection process within a day.
Care and Cultivation
Caring for the False Rose of Jericho involves mimicking its natural desert cycle of extreme drought followed by rain. The most important rule is the necessity of cyclical dormancy; the plant must be allowed to dry out completely between periods of hydration. Keeping S. lepidophylla continuously submerged in water will cause it to rot and lose its ability to revive. A typical cycle involves placing the plant in water for one to three days, then removing it to dry out fully for at least one to two weeks.
The plant is best displayed on a bed of pebbles in a shallow dish, allowing water to reach the base without fully submerging the structure. S. lepidophylla is sensitive to water quality, so using distilled water, rainwater, or tap water left out overnight to dechlorinate is recommended. Bright, indirect light is ideal, as intense, direct sunlight can scorch its fronds, especially when rehydrated. Since the plant is often grown without soil, fertilization is rarely necessary. If desired, a highly diluted, balanced houseplant fertilizer can be applied once or twice during active growth.