Acrostichum

• Authority

  Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

• Family

  Pteridaceae

• Scientific Name

  Acrostichum L.

• Description

  Genus Description - Terrestrial in swamps and marshes; rhizomes massive, shortcreeping to erect; roots stout, fleshy; rhizome scales thick, blackish brown, to 22 x 2mm; fronds large, 1-pinnate, each 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 distal pinnae, with many capitate paraphyses; indusia absent; spores tetrahedral, whitish tan; x=30.

• Discussion

  Lectotype (chosen by J. Sm., Hist. Fil. 146. 1875): Acrostichum aureum L. Chrysodium Fe´e, Me´m. Foug. 2: 22, 97. 1845, nom. superfl. for Acrostichum L. 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 Australasian, 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 plant size, marshy habitat, and coriaceous, 1-pinnate fronds. The species are often confused due to their subtle differences. Our descriptions are based on Adams and Tomlinson (1979).