Myrothamnus flabellifolius
Myrothamnus flabellifolius is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrothamnaceae native to central and southern Africa. It is also called the resurrection plant for the appearance of dead leaves reviving during rain.
3,4,5-Tri-O-galloylquinic acid is a tannin found in M. flabellifolius.
Description
Myrothamnus flabellifolius is a small, resinous plant whose shoot reaches in height. It is found in single bundles and in colonies with extensive root systems. During the winter, plants are known to lose all of their leaves and remain bare until the first rainfall.Plants in their hydrated state are noticeably larger than when dehydrated. They can fold their leaves and stems to reduce light absorption. Thylakoid membranes are stacked on top of each other to reduce photo-oxidative stress. While mesophyll cells fold their cell wall in response to desiccation, sclerenchyma and vascular cells do not fold, providing support for the plant. When water is reintroduced, it is absorbed through the roots, as the folded leaves are unable to absorb any water. Water transport is aided by lipids in the xylem, which prevent cavitation and support rehydration.
Taxonomy
This plant was first described by Friedrich Welwitschs in 1859.Environment
Myrothamnus flabellifoliusis is found growing along mountain formations in central and southern Africa. It is typically found growing in altitudes between. The plant grows in regions characterized by high light intensity and extreme temperature changes between night and day. It lives in regions with dry winters and rainy summers, though the lengths of these periods varies drastically between regions.Myrothamnus flabellifoliusis can also be found in shallow, rocky outcrops with soil depths of around. The roots of the plant expand to intercept water found in the hollow spaces between the rock. Erosion debris is typically found surrounding its root system.