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Ferns and relatives / Helechos y afines
Acrostichum aureum L.
EOL Text
Comments: Brackish and freshwater marshes.
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Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Acrostichum+aureum |
Conservation Actions
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Rights holder/Author | International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources |
Source | http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/177110 |
Stems creeping or ascending, frequently branched. Leaves ± arching, 1--3 m × 12--50 cm. Rachis rounded abaxially, decidedly grooved adaxially. Pinnae 24--30(--40), usually not overlapping, 10--34 × 1.3--7 cm; proximal pinnae always distant, frequently rounded at tip; costal areoles 3 or more times longer than wide; distal 6--12 pinnae of fertile leaves bearing sporangia. Sporangia spread over abaxial surface of distal pinnae in fertile leaves; paraphyses stalked, ending with single isodiametric, irregularly lobed cell. Spores (37--)57(--72) µm diam., surface minutely tuberculate. 2 n = 60.
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Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200003421 |
"Habitat and Ecology: This species is found in the intermediate estuarine zone in the high intertidal region. It is not restricted to mangrove systems and can grow in other areas in fresh water environments and in salt marshes. This is a species that is opportunistic and colonizes disturbed areas. It is fast growing, and very robust. It is a large herbaceous fern. Systems: Terrestrial; Freshwater; Marine List of Habitats: 12, 12.7"
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Rights holder/Author | "Molur et al, 2011", IUCN and ZOO 2011, India Biodiversity Portal |
Source | http://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/242464 |
The golden leather fern is listed as an Threatened species in Florida.It is not listed at the Federal level.
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Rights holder/Author | Text can be freely copied and altered, as long as original author and source are properly acknowledged. |
Source | http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Acrost_aureu.htm |
Plants in colonies or large isolated clumps. Rhizome erect to procumbent, massive, c. 6 mm in diameter; rhizome scales hard, up to 20 mm long, dark brown, linear-lanceolate in outline, margins irregular to lacerate. Fronds erect to arching, tufted, coriaceous, up to 2.5 m long. Stipe brown, up to 0.8 m long (up to 1/3 of total frond length). Lamina pinnate with a free conform terminal pinna, roughly lanceolate in outline. Sterile pinnae petiolate, glabrous, linear to oblong-lanceolate in outline, margin entire to wavy, apex rounded to bluntly pointed, base unequally wedge-shaped, usually directed forward at about 45° from the rachis and facing upwards; midrib prominent on lower surface; venation visible on upper surface with areoles. Fertile pinnae similar in size and shape to sterile pinnae, or sometimes slightly smaller, undersurface entirely covered with sori.
Sporulating all year. Coastal mangrove swamps, salt marshes, low hammocks, along lake and canal margins; 0--50m.
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Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200003421 |
Acrostichum aureum, the golden leather fern, is a large species of fern that grows in mangrove swamps and other wet locations. Other common names include swamp fern and mangrove fern.
Description[edit]
The golden leather fern has large fronds growing to a length of 1.8 metres (six feet). The leaves are glossy, broad and pinnate, the pinnae being dark green, leathery, alternate and widely spaced. The outer fronds arch over sideways but the central ones are nearly straight. Some of the larger fronds bear sporangia (reproductive organs) on the upper five to eight pairs of pinnae. These are brick red and give the pinnae a felted appearance.[2]
Distribution and habitat[edit]
The golden leather fern is found in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world. It grows in swamps and mangrove forests, salt marshes and on river banks and is tolerant of raised salinity levels. The spores germinate better, however, in fresh water. It tends to grow on slight elevations in the mangrove swamp in areas which are inundated by the sea occasionally. It can also grow in freshwater locations. In Malaysia there are two plant forms. The larger ones occur on the periphery of the swamp where they may reach 4 metres (13 ft) while much more stunted plants grow in the areas which are frequently inundated. It can grow in full sun or in deep shade and it has been found that the mangrove Rhizophora mucronata can regenerate in dense stands of the fern.[2]
Status[edit]
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the golden leather fern as being of "Least Concern"" because it is common, is fast growing, regenerates easily and has few threats. It grows vigorously in disturbed areas of mangrove forest and may be difficult to eradicate.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Ellison, J.; Koedam, N.E.; Wang, Y.; Primavera, J.; Jin Eong, O.; Wan-Hong Yong, J.; Ngoc Nam, V. (2010). "Acrostichum aureum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
- ^ a b Hill, K. (2006). "Acrostichum aureum: Golden leather fern". Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Acrostichum_aureum&oldid=602692073 |
aureum: golden, possibly referring to the golden-brown colour of the ripening sporangia in our specimens.
The 3 species of Acrostichum all grow in loose association with mangrove vegetation in the tropics (Tomlinson 1986).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Text can be freely copied and altered, as long as original author and source are properly acknowledged. |
Source | http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Acrost_aureu.htm |