Phoenix flower Natalie's ramonda that resurrects like our Army: Here's why it's Armistice Day symbol

Natalie's ramonda is a plant that is popularly known as the "Phoenix flower" because even when fully dry, it can come back to life when watered. This plant that became a symbol of the ordeal that Serbia went through during the First World War, six years ago became the officially symbol of Armistice Day in our country.

A flower that is alive even when it appears dead, as is capable of resurrection - just like the Serbian Army during the First World War - was named after one of the most beautiful Serbian queens, Natalija Obrenovic, and has existed in our region for millions of years.

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It grows in eastern Serbia and on Mount Kajmakcalan, whose highest peak is St. Ilija, where the Serbian Army, under the command of Vojvoda (Duke) Zivojin Misic, fought fiercely against the Bulgarian to create conditions for the breakthrough of the Macedonian Front in the First World War.

Photo: Wikipedia

Natalie's ramonda was discovered in 1884 ihe vicinity of the Serbian town of Nis by Sava Petrovic, and introduced into the literature by Josif Pancic.

It is an endemic species of the Western Balkans, and except in Serbia it grows only in Macedonia and Greece. It is on the list of rare, endangered and endemic plants of Europe, and is a strictly protected species in Serbia. Popularly ramonda is known is Serbia as the Easter flower, because in addition to returning to life after completely drying out, it also  flowers during the Easter period. Beside ramonda, only two other species in Europe have the anabiotic ability.

Incredible endurance

Biologists say ramonda survived from the Ice Age and found refuge in the sparse mountain soil. It is known for its incredible endurance - even when completely withered, with just a little bit of water, Natalie's ramonda can come back to life.

The "Phoenix flower" was thus chosen to commemorate the resurrection of Serbia which rose from the ashes of the First World War and continued its journey. The background of the Armistica Day symbol featuring this plant is green and black - the colors of the Albanian Commemorative Medal (a military medal given to Serbian soldiers and civilians who retreated through Albania in 1915 and 1916.)

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(Telegraf.rs)