Namibia is a land of surprises – and miracles. This miraculous bush reminds us of the magic of life, the blessings of the rainy season and the many wonders in this special land.
Its many desert landscapes often appear lifeless. But if we look closer, we discover that they are sensitive ecosystems that support a wealth of life forms. And that the fauna and flora have adapted intriguing and ingenious measures to survive in the arid extremes. The Resurrection Bush does it by drying out virtually entirely.
In the dry season you could easily fail to notice this dried-up non-descript shrub, thinking it dead. But don’t be fooled. This hardy plant has a desert trick up its sleeve. With a bit of moisture, it will immediately start to unfurl its small fan-like leaves and magically transform into a green desert beauty.
The only woody Resurrection plant in sub-Saharan Africa, it was noted and named in 1859 by naturalist Friedrich Welwitsch (who also stumbled on the Welwitschia plant in southern Angola). The Resurrection Bush’s scientific name Myrothamnus flabellifolius comes from the Greek words for ‘a perfume bush with fan-like leaves’. It has a wide distribution all the way from the Cape to Kenya. Nowhere, however, does it fit quite so well into the environment as in the spectacular country of Namibia, where there is often a miracle a moment.
Found among the rocks on sunny slopes, the plant has many uses in African medicine. The resinous leaves, which contain camphor and eucalyptol oils can be used as a refreshing medicinal tea or as a spice, and the smoke can be inhaled to treat asthmatic conditions.
But, remember to only use sparingly, so that this tough little plant that waits so patiently on the parched soil for the rain can continue to grow, don its green cloak and welcome the rainy season with us, year after year.
(Reference: Myrothamnus flabellifolius | PlantZAfrica (sanbi.org)
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