False Rose of Jericho Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,271 found this helpful

No documented toxicity of the plant has been found in existing academic research, so it is classified as presumed non-toxic

The plant is not suitable for use as feed for any pets or livestock even without confirmed toxicity

It is easily confused with the real Rose of Jericho (Anastatica hierochuntica), which is also non-toxic

FAQ

Is False Rose of Jericho toxic to Humans?

No adverse symptoms have been documented in humans following exposure to this plant (Non-toxic)

Is False Rose of Jericho toxic to Cats?

No toxic symptoms in cats have been reported to date (Non-toxic)

Is False Rose of Jericho toxic to Dogs?

No toxic symptoms in dogs have been reported to date (Non-toxic)

Is False Rose of Jericho toxic to Horses?

No toxic symptoms in horses have been reported to date (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No adverse symptoms have been documented in humans following exposure to this plant

Cats

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms in cats have been reported to date

Dogs

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms in dogs have been reported to date

Horses

Non-toxic

No toxic symptoms in horses have been reported to date

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic parts identified as no potential toxicity has been documented; the whole plant is not suitable for use as animal feed

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary potential exposure route; no adverse effects from dermal contact have been recorded

Toxic CompoundsNo specific toxic compounds have been identified in this plant to date

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water if large amount of the plant is accidentally ingested
• Monitor for any unusual physical reactions within 30 minutes after exposure
• Record the ingestion amount and observed symptoms for reference if medical consultation is needed

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet ingests large amount of the plant and shows unusual symptoms like vomiting or lethargy
• If you mistakenly use the plant as feed and your livestock shows abnormal behavior
• If you are unsure about the plant's identity and your animal has ingested it

Prevention

• Do not use this plant as a feed source for any livestock or pets
• Clearly label the plant if kept at home to avoid accidental ingestion or misuse as feed
• Distinguish it from visually similar plants to avoid misidentification

Treatment & Prognosis

• No specific treatment is required for mild accidental ingestion as no toxicity is documented
• Provide symptomatic treatment based on observed symptoms if adverse reactions occur
• Seek professional medical or veterinary advice if severe unusual symptoms appear

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSelaginella lepidophylla (Hook. & Grev.) Spring; Lycopodium lepidophyllum Hook. & Grev.

AliasesRose of Jericho、Resurrection plant、Dinosaur plant、Unechte Rose von Jericho、Rose von Jericho、Plante de la résurrection、Falsa rosa di Gerico、Rosa di Gerico

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No specific target organs for toxicity have been identified

Mechanism of Action

• No specific toxic mechanism has been identified, as no toxicity of the plant has been confirmed

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, etc.): Presumed non-toxic, but not suitable for regular feed; no adverse effects reported from accidental small-scale ingestion

Small pets (rabbits, hamsters, etc.): No documented toxicity, but ingestion of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort due to high fiber content

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Real Rose of Jericho Anastatica hierochuntica

Both are commonly called 'Rose of Jericho' and share similar resurrection traits when exposed to water. The key difference is that Selaginella lepidophylla belongs to Selaginellaceae, while Anastatica hierochuntica belongs to Brassicaceae, and both are non-toxic.

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Related Toxic Plants

Serpentine Spikemoss

Selaginella serpentina

Moderately toxic, contains alkaloids that can cause neurological symptoms in animals

Bracken Fern

Pteridium aquilinum

Highly toxic, known to induce carcinogenesis and organ damage in livestock

Japanese Climbing Fern

Lygodium japonicum

Low to moderately toxic, causes mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.