AbstractIntroductionCraterostigma plantagineum and Lindernia brevidens are resurrection plants, so these plants can tolerate desiccation of their vegetative tissues. Different components and mechanisms contribute to desiccation tolerance and secondary plant metabolites, like phenolic compounds, may play a role during these processes.ObjectivesSecondary plant metabolites of the two resurrection plants, C. plantagineum and L. brevidens as well as the closely related desiccation sensitive species, L. subracemosa, were investigated regarding the polyphenol profile.Material and methodsSecondary plant compounds were extracted with acidified methanol and analysed with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐ESI‐MS). Phenolic compounds were identified by comparing of ultraviolet (UV) and MSn‐spectra with published data. All compounds were quantified as verbascoside equivalents by external calibration at the compound specific wavelength.ResultsIn total, eight compounds that belong to the subclass of phenylethanoid glycosides and one flavone, luteolin hexoside pentoside, were identified. Two of these compounds exhibited a fragmentation pattern, which is closely related to phenylethanoid glycosides. The predominantly synthesised phenylethanoid in all of the three plant species and in every stage of hydration was verbascoside. The total content of phenolic compounds during the three stages of hydration, untreated, desiccated, and rehydrated revealed differences especially between C. plantagineum and L. brevidens as the latter one lost almost all phenolic compounds during rehydration.ConclusionThe amount of verbascoside correlates with the degree of desiccation tolerance and verbascoside might play a role in the protective system in acting as an antioxidant.