Acrostichum

  • 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 L.

  • Description

    Genus Description - Terrestrial, in wet sites; rhizome massive, short-creeping to erect; roots stout, fleshy; rhizome scales thick, blackish-brown, to 12 mm long, 2 mm wide; fronds large, once-pinnate, with a conform terminal pinna; pinnae elliptic, entire, coriaceous, glabrous or with minute hairs; veins finely netted, without included veinlets; sori acrostichoid on all or only the terminal few pinnae, with many capitate paraphyses; indusium lacking; spores tetrahedral-globose, whitish-tan.

  • Discussion

    Chrysodium Fée, Mém. foug. 2: 22. 1845. Type: Uncertain, several species cited. Acrostichum inhabits marshes, swamps and stream margins, forming extensive stands 2-5 m tall in fresh or brackish water. It is a genus of perhaps as few as three tropical species: one American, one Austral-Asian, and one pantropical. Although the genus has been generally allied with Pteris, its affinity is not close. It is especially distinct in its acrostichoid sori, many stipe bundles, large, fleshy roots, large size, habitat, and coriaceous, once-pinnate fronds. The species are often confused due to their subtle differences. Our descriptions are based on Adams and Tomlinson (1979). References: Adams, D. C. & P. B. Tomlinson. 1979. Acrostichum in Florida. Amer. Fem J. 69:42—46; Lloyd, R. M. & T. L. Gregg. 1975. Reproductive biology and gametophyte morphology of Acrostichum danaeifoli-um from Mexico. Amer. Fem J. 65: 105-120.