Rose of Jericho

Rose of Jericho Facts

• The attention-grabbing name of Rose of Jericho serves as the common name for the rather fascinating Anastatica hierochuntica.
• This remarkable plant also remains renowned among researchers for its truly astonishing resistance to desiccation.
• In addition, the plant is considered by many experts in the field to represent an extremely hardy form of tumbleweed.
• In ancient times, a wise man or shaman actually often used this plant as a means of predicting if rain was imminent.
• But, for the moment, the IUCN does not yet have a classification for this rather interesting species.

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Rose of Jericho Physical Description

Though remarkable, and visually rather distinctive, the Rose of Jericho nevertheless remains a small species of plant.

So, even exceptional individual specimens rarely achieve a height of more than 6 in (15 cm). Moreover, most grow somewhat smaller than that.

It also represents an annual herb, and most commonly displays a light gray in color, and produces small white flowers.

But, while quite small, the seeds of this highly adapted plant remain extremely hardy and well protected by the surrounding leaves.

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Angiosperms

Class: Eudicots

Order: Brassicales

Family: Brassicaceae

Genus: Anastatica

Species: A. hierochuntica

Rose of Jericho Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The rather incredible Rose of Jericho evolved its sincerely astonishing hardiness and regenerative abilities due to the severity of its climate.

It also evolved as endemic to the extremely arid regions of Asia. It most commonly occurs in the countries of the Middle East and the Sahara.

Further, this highly evolved species only inhabits the desert regions of Egypt, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan.

The Rose of Jericho dries up after the end of the rainy season, with the leaves contracting tightly, thus protecting the seeds.

It can also actually lie dormant for months or even years, appearing dead. Yet, when the rain comes, it opens quickly, to receive the water.

Species Sharing Its Area

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