What is "marcescent"

Marcescent \Mar*ces"cent\, a. [L. marcescens, p. pr. of marcescere to wither, decay, fr. marcere to wither, droop: cf. F. marcescent.] (Bot.) Withering without falling off; fading; decaying.

"withering," 1727, from Latin marcescentem (nominative marcescens), present participle of marcescere "to wither, languish, droop, decay, pine away," inchoative of marcere "to wither, droop, be faint," from PIE root *merk- "to decay."

a. 1 (context botany of an organ, such as a leaf or blossom; rarely also used figurative English) withered, but still attached. 2 (context mycology English) Able to revive when moistened.