Anastatica

/ænəˈstætɪkə/ noun

Definition

A genus of small desert plants known as 'resurrection plants' because they can dry out completely and then revive when given water.

Etymology

From Greek anastasis (resurrection) + -ica (botanical genus suffix). Named by botanists for their remarkable ability to 'resurrect' from apparent death.

Kelly Says

Anastatica plants are literally botanical zombies—they can lose all their water and look completely dead for months, then one watering brings them back to life, which has fascinated scientists studying cellular preservation!

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