lame duck
（习语）处于困境的人（或组织等）/（任期将满的）官员
n.
1.
a. An elected officeholder or group continuing in office during the period between failure to win an election and the inauguration of a successor.
b. An officeholder who has chosen not to run for reelection or is ineligible for reelection.
2. An ineffective person; a weakling.虚弱的/软弱的人/
所以你的 The water plant is a lame duck.
那是指 这水生植物一点活气都没有；好像快要枯死似的 意识。
鸭子在水里玩
参考资料：||
水生植物是一个生于困境强者
这种水生植物属无用之物．