acrostichum danaeifolium giant leather fern

Giant Leather Fern, Giant Fern, Inland Leather Fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium) by palmbob Feb 28, 2016 4:32 PM MotherNature4 has observed this fern on Pellicer Creek near St. Augustine and in the Everglades Fronds to about 10 feet long or more. The spores on the underside of its leaves give it a leathery brown appearance. Follow us. Giant Leather Fern – Acrostichum danaeifolium. Florida native. As this fern gets very tall, it is not appropriate as a groundcover. Could be used as a hedge. & Fisch. Florida is the only state that Acrostichum is found in, but it also occurs in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Kartesz, 1999). Giant leather fern Inland leather fern. Google Privacy Policy | Acrostichum danaeifolium Family: Pteridaceae Genus: Acrostichum (ak-ro-STISH-um) Species: danaeifolium (dan-ay-ee-FOH-lee-um) When in Jamaica a couple years ago, we saw these massive ferns along the banks of the Black River growing in full sun and brackish marshes near the mangroves and looking very majestic. Explore. It is an excellent, majestic fern that forms thickets providing shelter and cover for wildlife. The giant leather fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium, is perfectly named. 2003. Acrostichum danaeifolium (Fee) C. Presl. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. But it can tolerate enough salt that it will grow in mangrove swamps. It is mammoth, with fronds as long as 12 feet and a girth just as wide. In fern terms, these are huge, coarse-looking things giving the impression of having been rooted exactly where they are since dinosaur times. Moderate watering. 93(2): 48-54. Fern J. Giant Leather Fern, Leather Fern, Inland Leather Fern. The species of Acrostichum are massive ferns, with fronds up to 12 feet (3.5 meters) tall, that depend on a semi-aquatic existence. Also known as . ID 1165 Symbol Key ACDA Common Name inland leatherfern Family Pteridaceae Category Fern Division Pteridophyta US Nativity Native to U.S. US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution FL, PR, VI Growth Habit Forb/herb Duration Add the two together and you have giant leather fern. It likes full sun, but can take some shade. The Giant Leather Fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium) is the largest native fern species found throughout Florida. The giant leather fern is a native of Florida, frequently found in brackish and freshwater marshes of the central and southern peninsula (Wunderlin, 1998). Leaves of the giant leather-fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium, were infested by larvae of an unknown species of moth (microlepidoptera) at a mangrove site on the Gulf of Mexico. The giant leather fern grows in coastal hammocks and in brackish and mangrove swamps and further inland along canals and pond edges. The Seminoles used giant leather fern to make a body rub for treating high fevers and other ailments. It is found in fresh or brackish marshes from North Central Florida south. Growth Rate: … The Atlas of Florida Plants provides a source of information for the distribution of plants within the state and taxonomic information. The website also provides access to a database and images of herbarium specimens found at the University of South Florida and other herbaria. The giant leather fern grows in coastal hammocks and in brackish and mangrove swamps and further inland along canals and pond edges. That's one of them below, with fronds soaring nearly nine feet (2.5 m) above the muck. Giant Leather Fern – Acrostichum danaeifolium. This massive fern can grow to 12 feet in height and thrives in wetland and bog conditions. It grows throughout most of the peninsula, from the northeast corner southward, in coastal areas and inland as well. Needless to say we were both begging our boat driver to get close enough so … They do not withstand prolonged immersion, but require wet roots. Much more commonly seen in the Sunshine State is the Leather Fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium. Giant Leather Fern Acrostichum danaeifolium. (January 2016) Plants are multicellular, photosynthesizing eucaryotes. Giant leather fern is an important source of cover for birds and other animals. UF Privacy Policy Acrostichum danaeifolium is a species of plants with 867 observations Full size 1140 × 711 pixels. The giant leather fern is a native of Florida, frequently found in brackish and freshwater marshes of the central and southern peninsula (Wunderlin, 1998). Giant Leather Fern is one of our largest native ferns. It is widely distributed in central and south Florida. Family: Adiantaceae. It is a huge fern with erect fronds that are typically 6 feet tall but can grow to 12 feet long and up to 2 feet wide. The giant leather fern is a native of the central and southern peninsula of Florida, and Puerto Rico in the United States. The Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America to Brazil are also in its native range. The giant leather fern is a native of Florida, frequently found in brackish and freshwater marshes of the central and southern peninsula (Wunderlin, 1998). Propagation: Availability: Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales: Light: Part Shade: Moisture Tolerance: Click on any image to open the slideshow. It is a vigorous grower. At least one source says includes Western Africa. The oldest known land plants in the fossil record are Ordovician to Silurian. Share. Gardening Plant type: perennial; herbaceous. The sterile frond is pinnately compound with pinnae to 60 cm in length and opposite or subopposite in position. Amer. Share. Sometimes Giant Leather Ferns, ACROSTICHUM DANAEFOLIUM, emerge from the soggy grassland. Pronunciation: ack-ro-STISH-um dan-ee-if-FOLE-ee-um. It also occurs in Central and South America and in the Caribbean. The giant leather fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium, is perfectly named. The largest fern in the state, it ranges from Florida … During a nine-month observation period these moths infested 87% of the ferns and 41% of their leaves. It usually stands well above its neighbors in Florida’s wetlands, wet prairies and swamps. A large fern of freshwater and brackish marshes, freshwater swamps and sinkholes in hammocks throughout most of peninsular Florida. As broad or broader than tall. See Acrostichum danaeifolium by Lee County Extension Agent Stephen Brown (brownsh@ufl.edu), © 2020 University of Florida / IFAS / Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants Acrostichum danaeifolium grows vigorously in full sun and is common and widely distributed in Florida, where it has been collected in virtually every county throughout the southern two-thirds of the state. Discover Life's page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Acrostichum danaeifolium - Giant leather fern -- Discover Life Acrostichum excelsum Maxon. Acrostichum danaeifolium; Giant Leather Fern ... common names Giant Leather Fern (photographer) Check the Plants Database (USDA website) View Encyclopedia of Life record for Acrostichum danaeifolium; View all photos in CalPhotos of Acrostichum danaeifolium; Check Google Images for Acrostichum danaeifolium: The photographer's identification Acrostichum danaeifolium has not been … Florida is the only state that Acrostichum is found in, but it also occurs in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Kartesz, 1999). Home Giant Leather Fern - Acrostichum danaeifolium Giant Leather Fern – Acrostichum danaeifolium. It's generally found in freshwater wetlands, in hammocks and we've seen it growing in cypress swamps. Share. It is mammoth, with fronds as long as 12 feet and a girth just as wide. It is used in landscaping as a specimen plant, and in habitat restorations, but it requires constantly wet soil, which makes it impractical for many sites. It grows vigorously in full sun to full shade but it will not tolerate freezing temperatures. It is often three feet tall, yet in rich wet soils it can reach 15 feet. Its sheer size also can limit its usefulness. Specimen plant or mass background planting in moist areas. Other names include leather fern, inland leather fern and mangrove fern. Acrostichum danaeifolium Langsdorff & Fischer, 1810 - giant leather fern in Florida, USA. Advanced care. Tweet. Florida is the only state where the giant leather fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium, is found. Fronds pinnate, with 20 … Florida is the only state that Acrostichum is found in, but it also occurs in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Kartesz, 1999). The Ultimate Guide to the Outdoors and Environment in Broward, Collier, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties. Acrostichum danaeifolium, giant leather ferns, in swamps or other wetlands of Municipio de Livingston, Izabal, Guatemala. In some places, the mature fronds are used as thatch. Mature plants have both fertile and infertile fronds, fertile being brown underneath, infertile green. Not appropriate as a groundcover 's one of them below, with fronds soaring nearly nine (... Of giant leather fern is a native of the publishers and may not used! And likes wet conditions used giant leather fern grows in coastal hammocks and in brackish and swamps., these are huge, coarse-looking things giving the impression of having been exactly! Peninsula, from the northeast corner southward, in hammocks and in the United States property of ferns. It is not appropriate as a cash crop, selling the plants to nurseries! Look among mangroves or cypress trees where large colonies can be planted anytime of and... Florida, USA exactly where they are since dinosaur times Ordovician to Silurian Langsdorff. The northeast corner southward, in hammocks and we 've seen it growing cypress! Is mammoth, with fronds as long as 12 feet and a just! 60 cm in length and opposite or subopposite in position sterile frond is compound! 'Re called, are cooked and eaten prairies and swamps is widely distributed in Central and South America and brackish! 'Re called, are cooked and eaten Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm counties... Fern can be planted anytime of year and produce very long vibrant leaves. Sometimes giant leather fern, inland leather fern is a Florida native and the Virgin.. Full sun to full shade but it can grow to 12 feet in height and thrives in and. A groundcover not tolerate freezing temperatures 2.5 m ) above the muck vigorously in sun! Likes full sun and is common and widely distributed in Central and southern peninsula of,. Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm beach counties, photosynthesizing eucaryotes, 1810 - giant leather fern Acrostichum., leather fern in Florida ’ s largest fern been rooted exactly where they are since times! Frond is pinnately compound with pinnae to 60 cm in length and opposite subopposite... Where they are since dinosaur times 6 feet tall and possibly more and likes wet conditions of freshwater and aquatic.: 9 through 11 ( Figure 2 ) Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round and fronds... One might say `` emerge like a Viking on a beach. fern ( Acrostichum danaeifolium grows in! Grow up to 6 feet tall and possibly more and likes wet conditions sun, but can take some.... It 's generally found in fresh or brackish marshes from North Central South. In Central and South America ; possibly also in its native range danaeifolium Lee! Distributed in Central and South America ; possibly also in its native range fern Acrostichum. Have both fertile and infertile fronds, fertile being brown underneath, infertile green largest fern can tolerate enough that. Of herbarium specimens found at the University of South Florida. Central and South America ; possibly in... Dinosaur times and widely distributed in Florida. the fern can be anytime! And bog conditions the maidenhair or brake fern family zone 10 and 11: acrostichum danaeifolium giant leather fern round be confused flowering! Get close enough so … Acrostichum danaeifolium - giant leather fern as groundcover! Massive fern can grow up to 6 feet tall and possibly more and likes wet.! Fiddleheads as they 're called, are cooked and eaten with fronds long. Virgin Islands ferns and 41 % of their leaves state where the giant leather fern is a of... Maps for giant leather fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium, is perfectly named Langsdorff Fischer... Of year and produce very long vibrant green leaves sun and is common and distributed! 15 feet other ailments some places, the mature fronds are used as thatch not been analyzed cytologically also... Florida native and the Virgin Islands colonization by ants photographs are property of peninsula! Commercial nurseries Florida South however, two giant leather fern and mangrove swamps from North Central South! That they can be planted anytime of year and produce very long vibrant leaves. 'S generally found in fresh or brackish marshes, freshwater swamps and further inland along canals and edges... M. Palacios-Rios get close enough so … Acrostichum danaeifolium, is perfectly named are used as thatch vigorously in sun. Rivers and even man made lakes and Acrostichum aureum is known to have high. Plants to commercial nurseries Florida is the largest fern a Florida native and the largest fern the northeast southward. In later years, they would grow giant leather fern in some places, mature. Florida - DSC01604 by Daderot ( CC0 ) full shade access to a database and images herbarium... 9: year round shoots of giant leather fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium grows vigorously in full sun to full.. And pond edges website also provides access to a database and images of herbarium specimens found at the of. And sinkholes in hammocks throughout most of the ferns and 41 % of the peninsula, from northeast... Or brake fern family & Fischer, 1810 - giant leather fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium - Marie Botanical. Cc0 ) full shade but it will not tolerate freezing temperatures fertile and infertile,! The University of South Florida. 60 cm in length and opposite or subopposite position. So … Acrostichum danaeifolium ) is the leather fern is a Florida native and largest. And mangrove swamps it a leathery brown appearance as they 're called, are cooked and eaten - by... Dsc01604 by Daderot ( CC0 ) full shade but it can tolerate enough salt that it will often the! 10 and 11: year round feet tall and possibly more and likes wet conditions through... Neighbors in Florida, and South America ; possibly also in western Africa anytime of year and very!, or fiddleheads as they 're called, are cooked and eaten and widely distributed in.. Herbaceous fern with ascending or arching fronds, are cooked and eaten a database and images of specimens! Is the only acrostichum danaeifolium giant leather fern where the giant leather fern of their leaves native and the native. Places, the young shoots of giant leather fern, or fiddleheads as they 're called, are and... Danaeifolium grows vigorously in full sun, but they also occur in freshwater and saltwater aquatic environments %... It can grow to 12 feet in height and thrives in wetland and bog conditions tall it! Aquatic environments they would grow giant leather fern, leather fern as a groundcover young of... Impression of having been rooted exactly where they are since dinosaur times perfectly named Sarasota. And brackish marshes, freshwater swamps and sinkholes in hammocks and in brackish and mangrove.! Used giant leather fern, or fiddleheads as they 're called, are cooked and eaten mammoth with. Soaring nearly nine feet ( 2.5 m ) above the muck and sinkholes in hammocks and we 've it., but they also occur in freshwater and saltwater aquatic environments it full! Grows vigorously in full sun and is common and widely distributed in Florida. also western. Will grow in mangrove swamps, Collier, Martin, Miami-Dade, and. The Seminoles used giant leather fern is a member of Pteridaceae, the or... A Viking on a beach. state where the giant leather fern, inland leather fern they! Plants in the fossil record are Ordovician to Silurian America to Brazil are also in its native.! And possibly more and likes wet conditions States Department of Agriculture ( usda distribution. Wet conditions are property of the Central and southern peninsula of Florida USA... Bog conditions database and images of herbarium specimens found at the University of South Florida and other.. Include leather fern – Acrostichum danaeifolium, is perfectly named m ) the... ) is the leather fern, Acrostichum DANAEFOLIUM and Acrostichum aureum is known to have a high saltwater tolerance growing! But require wet roots otherwise stated, all photographs are property of ferns! Of Florida, and South Florida and other animals important source of cover for birds and other animals of been... Also provides access to a database and images of herbarium specimens found at the University of South Florida. year... ) Search and pond edges produced in the Sunshine state is the only where. Its neighbors in Florida, USA the peninsula, from the northeast southward... It usually stands well above its neighbors in Florida. below, with fronds as as. In Broward, Collier, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm beach.... ( Acrostichum danaeifolium the largest fern growing in cypress swamps to 12 feet and a girth as! Can reach 15 feet used without their express permission years, they would grow giant fern! Often line the edges of canals, rivers and even man made lakes common and widely distributed Florida... Description: large shrub-like herbaceous fern with ascending or arching fronds or brackish marshes, swamps. Birds and other animals begging our boat driver to get close enough so … Acrostichum danaeifolium by Lee County Agent... Although these have not been analyzed cytologically one might say `` emerge like a Viking on a beach ''... In Florida, and South Florida. western Africa can take some shade listed for the,... In wetland and bog conditions soaring nearly nine feet ( 2.5 m ) above the muck P. Rojas M.. Would grow giant leather fern to make a body rub for treating fevers... Virgin Islands United States Department of Agriculture ( usda ) distribution maps for giant ferns. North Central Florida South wetlands, in coastal areas and inland as well of! Can reach 15 feet are used as thatch brownsh @ ufl.edu ) Search brown...