 "Selaginella lepidophylla" is sold as a novelty item, as bare root stock in its dry state, in which it may be revived with only a little water.The plant's ability to survive extreme desiccation was noted by Spanish missionaries when they reached the New World, including the area that was to become the United States.The missionaries used "S. lepidophylla" to demonstrate to potential native converts the concept of being reborn.