Asplenium cordatum was previously called Ceterach cordatum, although the genus Ceterach was hived off from Asplenium. This suggests a larger history in backward and forward naming developments lurking in the literature of the plant's nomenclature, not accessible to Internet freeloading amateurs. This plant is similar to Cheilanthes eckloniana, the common resurrection fern that it shares the common name with.

Resurrection fern leaves may look dry, shrivelled up and dead at one moment, but spectacularly turn green and open briskly upon receiving a little rain. This has been marvelled at by many. The leaf structure of the plant is more lobed along the central axis than compound with a bare rachis as are many other ferns. The lobes are unevenly rounded and finely, irregularly toothed or serrated. 

The plant is often found in sheltered nooks among rocks, often where seepage water trickles down. It may also take the good with the bad on exposed rocky surfaces in full sun, celebrating moisture whenever it arrives (Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008).