Google
 
The Web
This Site
 

Family Pteridaceae: (Brake ferns)
Latin Name: Acrostichum danaeifolium
Common Name: Giant Leather Fern, Mangrove Fern

Untitled-23

A. danaeifolium, frond.

Untitled-32

A. danaeifolium, ventral surface of fertile frond showing sporangia.

Untitled-33

A. danaeifolium, young plant.

Synonymy: None listed. 1

Wetland Indicator Status: Obl (DEP), Obl (NWI). Native 2

Range: Central and southern peninsula. 1

Habitat/Ecology: Freshwater and brackish marshes, hydric hammocks. Frequently found associated with mangroves in the Indian River Lagoon.

Identification: Our largest fern, fronds to 2 m long and .5 m wide. 3 Overall appearance is of a robust plant more like a palm than a fern. Young plants can be mistaken for flowering plants due to very different frond morphology. The similar A. aureum has sporangia only on the upper 5 or fewer pairs of pinnae, with no overlapping by the pinnae.

Reproduction: Typical for fern, sporangia bear spores which develop into a small gametophyte. Young sporophytes have distinct appearance.

Observations: At MINWR this plant can be observed growing at the bases of the perimeter dike and among mangroves within the impoundments. The plant appeared to be able to tolerate some flooding but was not seen in open water of any considerable depth. It is not seen in dry soils.

Notes: Generic name derived from the Greek akros meaning terminal, and stichos meaning a row or line, in reference to the fertile fronds. Specific name refers to the similarity of fronds to those of the fern Danaea. Young leaves are used as food and adult leaves were used as thatch. Seminoles use a body rub made of the plant to treat fever and various illnesses. 4

1 - Wunderlin and Hansen, 2003. 2 - http://plantatlas.usf.edu/ 3 – Nelson, 2000. 4 – Austin, 2004.

 

 

 Home   Origin   Ecology   Species Accounts   Pictures   Books   Kayaks/Compasses   Identification   Parks   Cape Canaveral/KSC   Bio   Contact   Links 

Copyright 2007 by Tim Kozusko - all rights reserved

Kate Spade Diaper Bag louis vuitton outlet michael kors outlet coach outlet online legend blue 11s coach factory outlet sport blue 6s sport blue 3s Kate Spade Diaper Bag sport blue 3s louis vuitton outlet foamposites for sale lebron 11 louis vuitton outlet beats by dre solo jordan 6 sport blue Louis Vuitton Outlet Louis Vuitton Outlet kate spade outlet louis vuitton outlet louis vuitton outlet louis vuitton outlet louis vuitton outlet michael kors outlet sport blue 6s Nike KD VII louis vuitton outlet louis vuitton outlet jordan 6 sport blue jordan 11 concord jordan 3 wolf grey retro jordans retro jordans for sale wolf grey 3s louis vuitton outlet foamposites for sale kate spade outlet sport blue 6s louis vuitton outlet wolf grey 3s cheap jordans michael kors uk cheap jordans louis vuitton outlet sport blue 3s louis vuitton outlet online louis vuitton outlet jordan 3 wolf grey wolf grey 3s michael kors outlet
chamilia moncler outlet Moncler outlet replica hermes hermes outlet online ugg moncler outlet usa replica hermes moncler outlet uk replica hermes moncler outlet moncler outlet uk replica chanel handbags moncler outlet louis vuitton outlet ugg outlet charms online store moncler sale moncler outlet store link Canada Goose moncler outlet italia moncler usa gucci italia replica hermes