Ramonda serbica, also known as Serbian ramonda and Serbian phoenix flower, is a species in the family Gesneriaceae and are one of the four plants in the Ramonda genus. It was first discovered in 1874 near Niš, Serbia, by the Serbian botanist Josif Pančić. The Serbian ramonda is notable for its distinctive desiccation tolerance.

Description

Ramonda stands as one of the rare European members of its plant family. Known for its remarkable resilience, this plant has the unique ability to revive when watered, even from a fully dehydrated state—an attribute commonly referred to as desiccation tolerance. It thrives in cool, damp, shaded environments, primarily on steep, north-facing limestone surfaces. The flower was first discovered in Serbia and its natural habitat is the Balkans.

Classification

Ramonda serbica is one of four plants in the Ramonda (plant) genus. Not to be confused with Ramonda nathaliae, these two flowers differ mainly in the shape and color of leaves, and in durability too. Although they belong to the same family, the only place in the world where these two Ramondas grow next to each other is the vicinity of Niš, Serbia.