WWI ARMISTICE DAY: Why has Natalijina Ramonda become a symbol of the survival of the Serbian people?

Natalijina Ramonda (Ramonda Nathalie) is a Balkan endemic plant symbolizing resilience and renewal. Since 2012, it has also become the official emblem of Armistice Day in the First World War in Serbia.

The armistice in the First World War was signed on this day, November 11, 1918, in the forest near the French town of Compiègne, in the special carriage of Marshal Ferdinand Foch. It was in force until the conclusion of the final peace treaty in Versailles on June 28, 1919.

Although it took many years for this day to be recognized as a national holiday in Serbia, since 2012, it has also received its specific symbol – the flower of Natalijina ramonda, recognizable by its purple petals and green-black background.

As a plant that has survived geological changes and extreme climatic conditions, it has become a metaphor for struggle and perseverance. For this reason, Natalijina Ramonda is often called the “symbol of survival” and the “symbol of victory.”

A plant that revives: The phoenix of nature

Natalijina ramonda, also known as the “phoenix flower,” is one of the most unusual plants in the world due to its ability to survive extreme conditions. This plant can be completely dried out for months or even years, but when it comes into contact with water, it revives – just a few drops are enough to “wake it up”. Because of this incredible ability, Natalijina Ramonda is called the phoenix plant, as it resembles the mythical phoenix that is reborn from the ashes. Botanists say that this plant survived the ice age, and today, it inhabits parts of the Balkans, where it grows in dry gorges and rock crevices.

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Natalijina and Serbian Ramonda

Serbian Ramonda was discovered in 1874 by botanist Josif Pančić on Rtnj above Sokobanja. Natalijina Ramonda was discovered in 1884 near Niš by Dr. Sava Petrović, court physician to King Milan Obrenović. Together with Pančić, he described this species and named it after Queen Natalija.

Although Natalijina and Serbian Ramonda are similar in their exceptional ability to survive dry conditions, there are also differences. Both species belong to the so-called “phoenix” plants but differ in several botanical characteristics. The basic difference is in the arrangement of the petals – in the Serbian Ramonda, the petals are completely separated, while in the Natalijina Ramonda, they overlap.

Where do Ramondas grow

Natalijina ramonda, along with the Serbian ramonda, is on the list of rare plants in Europe, and in Serbia, it is a protected species. Today, it is endangered because collectors collect it, but also due to habitat destruction, it can still be found in protected areas such as Sićevačka Gorge and Suva Planina. In addition, these plants are of great scientific significance, as they represent tertiary relics – plants that survived the ice age and today exist only in specific, hard-to-reach areas.