| a drought-resistant, evergreen, epiphytic fern, Polypodium polypodioides, of subtropical to tropical America, appearing to be a ball of coiled, dead leaves in the dry season but reviving with moisture. |
| resurrection fern n. An epiphytic, creeping American fern (Polypodium polypodioides) of warm regions, having fronds that curl up and appear dead in prolonged dry weather and expand under moist conditions. |