Ramonda_nathaliae

<i>Ramonda nathaliae</i>

Ramonda nathaliae

Species of flowering plant

Quick Facts Ramonda nathaliae, Scientific classification ...

Ramonda nathaliae or Natalie's ramonda (Serbian: Наталијина рамонда / Natalijina ramonda; Macedonian: Наталиева рамонда, romanized: Natalieva ramonda) is a species of flowering plant in the genus Ramonda. The plant was discovered in 1884 near the city of Niš by botanists Sava Petrović and Josif Pančić, who named it after Queen Natalie of Serbia (1882–1889).[2]

Natalie's ramonda possesses a remarkable ability to revive even when fully dehydrated and demonstrates adaptability to harsh environments. As a result, the flower represents one of the national symbols of Serbia, reflecting the resiliance of the Serbian struggle in World War I and symbolizing the rebirth and revival of the country.

Description

This plant's natural habitat is found in Serbia, North Macedonia and Greece (Kilkis region). It is small and very adaptable to harsh environments. Growing up to 10 cm in height, it cleverly angles itself on rocks, allowing rainwater to cascade off its leaves. Enduring temperatures down to −15 °C, it graces us with clusters of flat, lilac-blue flowers in late spring, surrounded by evergreen leaves. It is a poikilohydryc plant.[3][4][5]

Notably, in the UK, it has earned the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[6][7]

World War I remembrance symbol

Remembrance badge with Natalie's Ramonda and the green-and-black ribbon

The flower is considered a symbol of Serbia's campaign and victory in World War I, with country suffering the largest casualty rate relative to its population.[8] To commemorate Serbian soldiers who died in war, as well as the resurrection of the country after the devastating war, people wear artificial Natalie's ramonda as a symbol of remembrance.[9] This tradition is observed in the week leading up to Armistice Day and is similar to the wearing of the remembrance poppy amongst the Commonwealth countries.

The idea originated from Marko Đurić, the then-adviser to President Tomislav Nikolić, in 2012. The badge worn on the Armistice Day combines the ramonda and the green-and-black Albanian Commemorative Medal ribbon. The idea was put into practice in 2013, a year after the Armistice Day became a public holiday in Serbia.[10]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 3 October 2015
  2. [2]
    Blečić, Petar (11 December 2015). "Kap vode ih vraća u život". Blic.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  3. [3]
    Drazic, Gordana; Mihailovic, Nevena; Stevanovic, Branka (1999). "Chlorophyll Metabolism in Leaves of Higher Poikilohydric Plants Ramonda serbica Panč. and Ramonda nathaliae Panč. et Petrov. during Dehydration and Rehydration". Journal of Plant Physiology. 154 (3): 379–384. doi:10.1016/S0176-1617(99)80184-9. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  4. [4]
    Babani, Fatbardha. "Ecophysiological differences between poikilohydric plants Ramonda serbica and Ramonda nathaliae. 5th International Syposium of Ecologist of Montenegro, 2013". Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  5. [5]
    Rakić, Tamara; Lazarević, Maja; Jovanović, Živko S.; Radović, Svetlana; Siljak-Yakovlev, Sonja; Stevanović, Branka; Stevanović, Vladimir (2014). "Resurrection plants of the genus Ramonda: prospective survival strategies – unlock further capacity of adaptation, or embark on the path of evolution?". Frontiers in Plant Science. 4: 550. doi:10.3389/fpls.2013.00550. PMC 3887321. PMID 24454318.
  6. [6]
    "RHS Plantfinder - Ramonda nathaliae". Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  7. [7]
    "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 84. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  8. [8]
    President honors Serbian WW1 soldiers in Greece: In commemoration of Armistice Day, President Tomislav Nikolić paid homage to fallen Serbian soldiers at the Greek island of Vido.
  9. [9]
    "Natalie's Ramonda, a Symbol of Armistice Day in Great War". Управа за сарадњу с дијаспором и Србима у региону. 2014-07-13. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  10. [10]
    Mikić, Ivana (2024-03-03). "SVE JE POTEKLO OD MARKA ĐURIĆA I TOME NIKOLIĆA "Ramonda" o kojoj peva Teya Dora zovu "feniks", SIMBOL JE POBEDE i obeležava se 11. novembra". Blic (in Serbian). Retrieved 2024-03-10.
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