Plant
Giant Leather Fern
Acrostichum danaeifoliumAlso known as Helecho Mangle, Interior Leather Fern
Giant leather ferns form towering clumps in sunny tropical wetlands, where their thick, leathery fronds can exceed three meters in height. Unlike most ferns that produce sporangia in distinct clusters, this species coats the entire underside of fertile fronds in a continuous layer of velvety, rusty-brown spores. These massive plants stabilize soil along brackish channels and provide critical cover for nesting marsh birds and aquatic wildlife.
Massive FernWetlandNeotropical
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
- Marsh rabbits
- Herbivorous caterpillars
ThreatsWetland reclamation, coastal development, altered hydrology
HabitatsMangrove swamps, brackish marshes, coastal wetlands
Life spanPerennial (several decades)
Classification
- FamilyPteridaceae
- SpeciesAcrostichum danaeifolium
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting fertile fronds: Look for tall upright center fronds covered beneath in rich reddish-brown spores.
- Checking salinity: Notice how this species thrives slightly further inland where salinity remains lower.
- Wetland etiquette: Stick to boardwalks or dry edges to avoid disturbing fragile marsh ecosystems.
Habitat Partner (c) James St. John, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Wetland Neighbor (c) Fabrício Mil Homens Riella, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Fabrício Mil Homens Riella · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jay Horn, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jay Horn · cc-by
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