True Rose of Jericho
Anastatica hierochuntica
The True Rose of Jericho (Anastatica hierochuntica) is a remarkable desert annual belonging to the mustard family (Brassicaceae), renowned for its extraordinary ability to survive near-complete desiccation and seemingly "come back to life" when rehydrated. It is one of nature's most celebrated resurrection plants.
• Despite its common name, it is not related to roses at all — the name derives from the rose-like shape formed by its curled, dried branches
• It is the sole species in the genus Anastatica, making it a monotypic genus
• Known by many names worldwide: Rose of Jericho, Mary's Flower, St. Mary's Flower, Dinosaur Plant, and Jericho Rose
• Has captivated travelers, botanists, and religious communities for centuries due to its dramatic "resurrection" behavior
Taxonomy
• Geographic range spans from Morocco and the Sahara Desert through Egypt, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Iraq, and into Pakistan and Afghanistan
• Thrives in desert wadis (dry riverbeds), rocky desert plains, and sandy depressions that receive occasional flash floods
• The plant has been known since antiquity; ancient travelers and herbalists documented its peculiar behavior of opening and closing with moisture
• It holds deep cultural and religious significance in multiple traditions, often associated with rebirth, renewal, and divine blessing
• Frequently sold as a novelty "living" souvenir in markets across the Middle East and has been traded along ancient caravan routes for centuries
Growth Habit:
• Typically grows 10–15 cm tall and 15–30 cm wide in its hydrated, living state
• Forms a low, rounded rosette of branches radiating outward from a central taproot
• Stems are woody at the base, becoming progressively more flexible toward the tips
Leaves:
• Small, oblong to spatulate, grayish-green, covered with fine hairs that help reduce water loss
• Arranged alternately along the stems
• Leaves are shed early in the plant's life cycle as drought sets in
Flowers:
• Small, white, four-petaled flowers typical of the Brassicaceae family
• Bloom briefly after rainfall, often within days of germination
• Self-pollinating, ensuring rapid seed production in unpredictable desert conditions
Fruit & Seeds:
• Produces small, round, flattened silicles (a type of dry fruit characteristic of Brassicaceae)
• Each fruit contains only 1–2 seeds — an extremely low seed count per fruit
• Seeds are tiny and can remain viable in dry sand for years, waiting for the next rain event
Desiccation & Resurrection:
• As drought progresses, branches curl inward and upward, forming a tight, ball-shaped structure
• The dried plant detaches from its root and becomes a tumbleweed, rolling across the desert
• In this desiccated state, the plant can lose over 95% of its cellular water and enter a state of anhydrobiosis (life without water)
• Upon contact with moisture, the branches uncurl and open within hours, resuming metabolic activity
• This cycle can be repeated multiple times over several years, though the plant does not truly "come back to life" — it was never fully dead, merely in a state of suspended animation
Habitat:
• Found in arid desert plains, rocky slopes, sandy depressions, and dry wadis
• Prefers well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils with minimal organic matter
• Often grows in areas that experience infrequent but intense rainfall events
Survival Strategy:
• Classified as a "resurrection plant" — capable of surviving extreme desiccation (anhydrobiosis)
• Produces trehalose and other protective sugars that stabilize cell membranes during drying
• The tumbleweed dispersal mechanism allows seeds to be scattered across vast desert distances as the dried plant rolls in the wind
• Seeds germinate rapidly (within 24–48 hours) after rainfall, completing the entire life cycle in as little as 3–4 weeks
• This rapid life cycle is an adaptation to the brief windows of moisture availability in desert ecosystems
Ecological Role:
• Provides minimal forage value due to its small size and brief growing period
• Plays a role in stabilizing loose sand in its microhabitat
• Serves as a fascinating model organism for studying desiccation tolerance in plants
Display & Rehydration:
• Place the dried, ball-shaped plant in a shallow dish of warm water
• Within 4–8 hours, the branches will begin to uncurl and open, turning from brown to greenish
• The plant will fully open within 24 hours
• Change the water every 1–2 days to prevent mold and bacterial growth
• After several days in water, remove the plant and allow it to dry out again — it will curl back into a ball, and the cycle can be repeated
Light:
• Bright indirect light is ideal when the plant is hydrated and open
• Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which can cause the rehydrated plant to dry out too quickly
Water:
• When displaying, keep the plant sitting in approximately 1–2 cm of water
• Use room-temperature or slightly warm water for best results
• Do not submerge the entire plant — only the base needs to be in contact with water
Temperature:
• Room temperature (18–25°C) is ideal
• Avoid cold drafts or extreme heat
Soil (for growing from seed):
• If attempting to grow from seed, use a well-drained sandy or cactus-type soil mix
• Seeds germinate best on the surface of moist sand with high humidity and warmth
• Germination can occur within 24–48 hours under ideal conditions
Common Problems:
• Mold or rot — caused by stagnant water; change water frequently
• Plant fails to open — may be too dry initially; try warmer water
• Foul odor — indicates bacterial growth; replace water immediately and clean the dish
Fun Fact
The True Rose of Jericho's "resurrection" ability has made it one of the most mythologized plants in human history: • In Christian tradition, it is associated with the Virgin Mary and the resurrection of Christ — legend holds that the plant first opened its branches when Mary touched it during the flight to Egypt, and closes again on Good Friday • In Islamic tradition, it is known as "Kaff Maryam" (Hand of Mary) and is believed to bring barakah (blessing) to a household • Ancient Roman soldiers reportedly carried it as a good-luck charm, believing it could protect them in battle • The plant's tumbleweed dispersal mechanism means a single dried specimen can travel kilometers across the desert, scattering seeds as it goes — a strategy that has allowed it to colonize vast arid regions The Science of "Coming Back to Life": • Anastatica hierochuntica does not truly die during desiccation — it enters a state called anhydrobiosis, in which metabolic activity drops to nearly undetectable levels • The plant accumulates large amounts of trehalose, a sugar that forms a glass-like matrix inside cells, preserving the structure of membranes and proteins during extreme drying • This mechanism is being studied by scientists for applications in preserving vaccines, blood cells, and even food without refrigeration • Unlike some other "resurrection plants" (such as Selaginella lepidophylla, the "False Rose of Jericho"), Anastatica hierochuntica does not turn green again upon rehydration — its tissues remain largely brown, though metabolic activity resumes and seeds may be released A Common Misconception: • The plant most commonly sold in stores as the "Rose of Jericho" is actually Selaginella lepidophylla, a spikemoss native to the Chihuahuan Desert of North America — not Anastatica hierochuntica • Selaginella lepidophylla turns vividly green when rehydrated, while the true Anastatica hierochuntica does not • Both plants share the remarkable resurrection ability, but they are entirely unrelated — one is a flowering plant (Brassicaceae), the other is a lycophyte (Selaginellaceae) • This confusion has persisted for centuries, and even many commercial sellers do not distinguish between the two
Learn more
