SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 253.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "253" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

inland leatherfern

Scientific Name: Acrostichum danaeifolium

Family: Pteridaceae

Category: Fern

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: FL (giant leather fern)

       

Giant Leather Fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium)

The Giant Leather Fern, scientifically known as Acrostichum danaeifolium, is a large fern species with several common names. It is a member of the Pteridaceae family.

Common Names:

  • Giant Leather Fern
  • Leather Fern
  • Inland Leather Fern
  • Giant Fern
  • Inland Leatherfern

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

  • Scientific Name: Acrostichum danaeifolium Langsd. & Fisch.
  • Family: Pteridaceae
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms:
    • Acrostichum excelsum Maxon
    • A. excelsum
    • a. lomarioides

Considerations for Pets

  • The text does not provide direct information about the Giant Leather Fern and its effects on pets. Further research may be needed to determine its suitability for households with pets.

Considerations for Children

  • The text does not provide direct information about the Giant Leather Fern and its effects on children. Further research may be needed to determine its suitability for households with children.

Distribution and Habitat:

  • This fern is notably found in Florida, where it is considered the "behemoth fern" and can grow to impressive sizes.
  • It thrives in wet locations, including mangrove swamps.

Morphological Characteristics:

  • The Giant Leather Fern is known for its large size, reaching up to 14 feet in height and 8 feet high and 10 feet across.

Ecological Role:

  • It is found in similar environments as other Acrostichum species.
  • It is recognized as a wetland plant.

Traditional uses:

  • The plant was used by the Seminole as a febrifuge. An infusion was taken and rubbed on the body for high fevers.

Quirky Facts

  • Some people grow giant leather fern as a cash crop, selling the plants to commercial nurseries.

Other Species

  • Acrostichum aureum, the golden leather fern, is also a large species of fern that grows in mangrove swamps and other wet locations.

Further Information:

  • Dave's Garden: A community sharing tips and ideas for gardens.
  • Discover Life: Offers information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Acrostichum danaeifolium.
  • ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)
  • World Flora Online
  • Arctos Plants Catalogue
  • United States Department of Agriculture