Plant · GBIF taxon 7944571
Resurrection Selaginella
Selaginella bryopterisAlso known as Sanjeevani, Sanjivani, Indian Resurrection Plant
Resurrection Selaginella is a remarkable lithophytic spikemoss endemic to tropical mountains of India, renowned for its extreme desiccation tolerance. During dry spells, its fronds curl tightly inward into a compact brownish ball, surviving near-total loss of water content for extended periods. Upon exposure to moisture, the curled fronds unfurl within hours into a vibrant emerald green rosette.
LycopodiophyteDesiccation TolerantLithophyte
Licensed reference(c) Swarochi Tathagath, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Insect Larvae
- Herbivorous Insects
ThreatsOver-collection for medicinal trade and local harvesting
HabitatsRocky hillsides, moist rock crevices, subtropical mountain slopes
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySelaginellaceae
- SpeciesSelaginella bryopteris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognized by fern-like fronds that curl into dry brown balls when dehydrated.
- Support conservation
- Observe and photograph in place without peeling plants away from their rocky substrate.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look for dried, ball-like rosettes clinging to rocky faces during dry seasons.
- Conservation Etiquette: Keep wild plants attached to their native rocks to protect wild stocks.
Frequent Companion Starfarmer / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative
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