"There were 6 of them in my package from China. Why did they put them in and what is this?"

 

"There were 6 of them in my package from China. Why did they put them in and what is this?"

Imagine the following situation: you receive a long-awaited parcel from China, and inside, in addition to the ordered goods, you find several strange, dry, curled up objects resembling small, withered bushes. This is exactly what happened to our reader, who turned to us with the question of what these unusual “gifts” are and why they were added to his shipment. Looking at the photo, we can give an answer:  This is a plant - the Rose of Jericho.

What is the Rose of Jericho?

The Rose of Jericho, also known as the “resurrection plant,” “dinosaur plant,” “resurrection flower,” or even the “hand of Mary/Fatima,” is a truly remarkable and intriguing plant.  There are several different species of plants that bear this popular name, the most commonly referred to being  Anastatica hierochuntica  (the true Rose of Jericho, native to the Middle East and North Africa) and  Selaginella lepidophylla  (sometimes called the “false” Rose of Jericho, native to the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States and Mexico)  .  Although they are different species, they both share the incredible ability to survive in extremely dry conditions.

During periods of dormancy or drought, the Rose of Jericho curls its leaves and twigs inward, becoming a dry, gray-brown, seemingly lifeless ball  .  In this form, it can survive for years, carried by the wind through desert regions  .

The miracle of the "resurrection"

The most amazing quality of this plant is its ability to “come back to life” when exposed to moisture  .  If a completely dried Rose of Jericho is placed in a container of room-temperature water, it undergoes a complete transformation  .  In just a few hours (usually between 2 and 4), the shrunken ball begins to slowly dissolve, and the leaves and twigs gradually regain their green color, revealing a beautiful, fern-like structure  .  This process of hibernation and “resurrection” can be repeated many times over the years  .

Symbolism and use

The Rose of Jericho is steeped in deep symbolism in various cultures and religions. It is considered an ancient symbol of love, happiness, health, luck, rebirth, eternity, immortality and resilience  .  In the Christian tradition, it is associated with the resurrection of Christ  .  According to beliefs, it protects against negative energies and brings grace and life to the home in which it is grown  .

In addition to its symbolic significance, the Rose of Jericho is also used in traditional medicine. It is prepared as a tea from the seeds, dried leaves, or flowers and is used to treat various conditions such as colds, sore throats, asthma, menstrual cramps, arthritis pain, and also to facilitate childbirth  .  Some studies also suggest beneficial activity against Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli  .

Why did they put them in the parcel?

The reason for these plants being added to the parcel from China could be varied. It is possible that they were included as a small gift or a goodwill gesture on the part of the seller, given the positive symbolism of the plant (luck, happiness). In some cultures, it is customary to give such “talismans” as gifts. Another possibility is that this is part of a marketing strategy aimed at pleasantly surprising the customer and leaving a good impression.

So, if you receive a similar "surprise" in a parcel, know that you have become the owner of a unique and symbolic plant. You can "revive" it in a bowl of water and enjoy its transformation, then let it dry again and store it until the next time you decide to breathe life into it.