Acrostichum aureum L.

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Beitel, Joseph M. 1988. Pteridophyte Flora of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 46: 1-580.

  • Family

    Pteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Acrostichum aureum L.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Rhizome short-creeping, branched, massive; rhizome scales linear to ovate, dark brown, to 1.5 cm long; fronds 1.5-3 m long, once-pinnate to the apex; stipe ca. 1/3 of the frond length, terete to decidedly grooved in rachis portion at base, short spines (aborted pinna midribs) frequent on lower stipe, 20-40 cm broad; pinnae obtuse to acute at apex, 10-14(-30) pairs, coriaceous, over-lapping, margins re volute; basal pinnae with stalk to 3 cm long; veins netted, areoles next to midrib narrow (3 times longer than wide); fertile pinnae 1-5 pairs in terminal portion, similar in size and shape to the sterile pinnae; paraphyses with isodiametric, multilobed tip.

  • Discussion

    Lectotype (to be chosen by Lellinger, in litt.). Plumier, Descr. pl. Amér., t. 7. 1693; LINN 1245.5 was not present in LINN prior to 1756 (Jackson, 1912). Acrostichum aureum is restricted to coastal mangrove communities in Florida (Adams & Tomlinson, 1979). No Oaxacan collections have been found, but it is known in Veracruz and Chiapas. It is distinguished from A. danaeifolium by the former’s fronds being fertile only in the distal ¼-1/3 rather than nearly the entire length.

  • Distribution

    In mangrove swamps and brackish marshes. Mexico (Ver, Nay, Chis, Tab); US (Fla); Guat to Pan; WI, Trin; Ven to Fr Gui, Braz & Parag; Old World tropics.

    Mexico North America| Paraguay South America| Brazil South America| Venezuela South America| Trinidad and Tobago South America| West Indies| Panama Central America| Guatemala Central America| Florida United States of America North America|