Water deficiency is the most significant abiotic stress factor for land plants. Most plants are unable to survive desiccation to the air dry state. However there are a few species across the plant kingdom that tolerate desiccation known as resurrection plants. Desiccation tolerance (DT) is the ability of the organisms to dry completely and resume normal function when rehydrated. Several Pteridophytes species with DT have been discovered in ecological niches with seasonally limited water availability and unreliable rainfalls including forests with microclimatic zones. Selaginella is one of the most primitive vascular resurrection plants, which can survive a desiccated state and then recover when water becomes available. This study deals with Pteridophyte species collected from Devarayanadurga State Forest, Tumakuru district, Karnataka, India. (Coordinates 13.3707° N, 77.1773° E) and identified as Selaginella wightii (SW). The Relative water content was established from the fresh tissues in independent experiments. Detached fronds from fully hydrated species were subjected to subsequent desiccation and rehydration. During desiccation, the RWC of detached fronds decreased rapidly from 90% to a stable dried state of 10% after 12h. Desiccated fronds showed intense inward curving during rehydration. The RWC of the detached fronds regained to 100% after 4 h, along with its original morphology. The Chlorophyll content being regained and proline and sucrose content increased. Activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT, and GR) also increased during desiccation. Further scanning electron microscopy reveals the leaf morphology and fine structure to analyse the cellular changes occurring during the desiccation which helps in elucidation of the effects of desiccation on cellular integrity.