resurrection plant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Botanical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “resurrection plant” mean?
A type of plant that can survive extreme dehydration, appearing dead, and then revive when water is available.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of plant that can survive extreme dehydration, appearing dead, and then revive when water is available.
A metaphor for any person, idea, or organization that makes a remarkable recovery after appearing to be finished or dead.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The botanical term is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations of miraculous recovery and resilience.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily found in botanical or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “resurrection plant” in a Sentence
The resurrection plant [verbs: thrives, curls up, revives].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resurrection plant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dried specimen will resurrection itself in water.
- It resurrectioned after the first rain.
American English
- The dried specimen will resurrect in water.
- It resurrected after the first rain.
adverb
British English
- The leaves opened resurrection-quickly.
American English
- The plant recovered resurrection-fast.
adjective
British English
- The resurrection-plant phenomenon is fascinating.
- She studied resurrection-plant biology.
American English
- The resurrection plant phenomenon is fascinating.
- She studied resurrection plant biology.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically: 'The brand was a resurrection plant, coming back after bankruptcy.'
Academic
Used in botany, biology, and environmental science papers discussing plant adaptation.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used by gardening enthusiasts or in educational nature documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in botany/horticulture for specific species with poikilohydric traits.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “resurrection plant”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “resurrection plant”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resurrection plant”
- Misspelling as 'resurection plant'.
- Using it as a general term for any hardy plant.
- Incorrect capitalisation (not a proper noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a common name for several unrelated species, most notably Selaginella lepidophylla and Anastatica hierochuntica.
Yes, species like Selaginella lepidophylla are sold as novelty houseplants. They require specific care, alternating between dry and hydrated states.
In a dormant, desiccated state, they can survive for years, depending on the species and conditions.
Because it appears to 'come back to life' from a dead, brittle state when water is added, resembling a resurrection.
A type of plant that can survive extreme dehydration, appearing dead, and then revive when water is available.
Resurrection plant is usually technical/botanical, literary in register.
Resurrection plant: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛzəˈrɛkʃ(ə)n plɑːnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛzəˈrɛkʃ(ə)n plænt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] A resurrection plant of an idea.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'RESURRECTION' (coming back to life) for a PLANT that does exactly that after a drought.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESURRECTION IS REHYDRATION / DEATH IS DROUGHT, LIFE IS WATER.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a resurrection plant?