| Etymology | Genus | From Greek akros (terminal) and stichos (a row) |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Golden flower; reference to plant unknown | |
| Family | Pteridaceae | |
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Blunt Tip Mangrove Fern, Piai Raya | |
| Status | Native: Common | |
| Form | Herb | |
| Native Distribution | Pantropical | |
Diagnostics:
Acrostichum aureum is one of the two species of terrestrial mangrove ferns, the other being Acrostichum speciosum. The former however, has blunt tips for its sterile fronds. Its fronds are also generally longer and wider comparatively.
Interesting Facts:
From Giesen (2006), the young leaves are eaten in Sulawesi and East Timor; leaves are used for thatching and cattle litter; and the rhizomes and old leaves are used for medicine.
Large sprawling Blunt Tip Mangrove Fern at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (2020).
Sterile frond.
Blunt tip of sterile frond.
Fertile frond.
References
Giesen W, Wulffraat S, Zieren M & Scholten L (2006) Mangrove guidebook for Southeast Asia. RAP Publication 2006/07. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and Wetlands International. Bangkok. 769 pp.
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2020-04-07
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