What is "anastatica"

Anastatica \Anastatica\ n. 1. 1 a genus of plants consisting of a single species, rose of Jericho (also called resurrection plant).

Syn: genus Anastatica.

Anastatica is a monotypic genus with the type species Anastatica hierochuntica. The genus is a member of the family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae), in the division Magnoliophyta of the class Magnoliopsida. The plant is a small gray annual herb that rarely grows above high, and bears minute white flowers. It is a tumbleweed and a resurrection plant.

The most commonly used common name in English may be rose of Jericho; other common names include Jericho rose, true rose of Jericho, Maryam's flower, flower of St Mary, St. Mary's flower, Mary's flower, and white mustard flower. About the name "rose of Jericho", the 16th century herbalist John Gerard is said to have remarked the coiner of the name spoiled it in the mint; for of all plants that have been written of not any are more unlike unto the rose.

This species is not to be confused with Selaginella lepidophylla, also known as "rose of Jericho" and "false rose of Jericho".