[4] Common names include Orpheus flower and resurrection plant because of the remarkable ability of Haberlea to survive very long periods of desiccation.

Basal rosettes of dark green leaves bear trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of white, violet or purple in spring and summer.

Rather its evolution has switched in the direction of providing pollen as a reward and generalisation of pollinating insects - a trend that is observed in the other European member (Ramonda) of the more tropically and subtropically spread family Gesneriaceae.

Active pollinators of Haberlea are found to be syrphids (hoverflies) and Lasioglossum morio (Hymenoptera, Halictidae) which are characterised by low preferential behaviour regarding the plants that they visit for food.

[6] Haberlea rhodopensis (pale lilac flowers) has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

It possesses a property unique among flowering plants (angiosperms) to survive extreme and prolonged dehydration, falling into an anabiotic state that mimics death.

Basal rosettes of dark green serrated and slightly curly leaves bear trumpet-shaped flowers in different shades in spring and summer.

When scientists from botanical gardens around the world turn to their Bulgarian counterparts to send them haberlea rhodopensis, they do not receive seeds, as is done in such cases, but they get herbarized plants.

It was later named Haberlea rhodopensis to pay respect to their tutor, Karl Haberle, and to signify the region where samples were initially found: the Rhodope Mountains.

Apart from its typical resurrection capacity, the Bulgarian endemic species Haberlea rhodopensis is also fascinating as a potential source of bioactive compounds with application in pharmacology, veterinary medicine, and cosmetics.

Scientists from Medical University Plovdiv of Bulgaria are currently studying the plant in-depth; first results show that it helps in the natural healing processes of damaged tissues.

Peroxide-stressed normal human dermal fibroblasts treated with the Haberlea extract showed increased collagen and elastin synthesis.

When used at 3% in human skin biopsies, Haberlea extracts protected against UV-induced dermis oxidation by 100%, as evidenced by immunohistochemistry.

It was demonstrated that by using Haberlea extract (particularly rich in glycoside myconoside), it is possible to strongly stimulate antioxidant skin defenses and extracellular matrix protein synthesis.

Rich in powerful polyphenols that help the flower survive and thrive in extreme conditions, this potent extract strengthens the epidermis and helps naturally recover its water loss, while protecting the newly rejuvenated skin from environmental stressors and resulting in more resilient and brighter skin.

The herb is a light opiate and a time ago the shamans used to burn it so that they can go into trance thus talking to spirits and making prophecies.