Originally assigned by Linnaeus, referring to ferns whose spores-bearing sori are distributed in a uniform mass across the back of the frond, rather than organized in discrete sori, from Greek akros, “terminal,” and stichos, “a row or line,” in reference to the fertile fronds
Species
danaeifolium
Refers to the similarity of fronds to those of the fern Danaea
The giant leather fern is a native of the central and southern peninsula of Florida, and
Puerto Rico in the United States. It is also found in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America,
and South America; possibly also in western Africa.
It prefers brackish and freshwater marshes.
Plants: Plants are comprised of a set of fronds that emerge
from a central location, producing an inverted cone shape that can reach 10′ (3 m) or more in
height and width.
Leaves: Fronds can reach 6½-13′ (2-4 m) in length.
Fertile fronds are brown underneath, due to the presence of sporangia;
while infertle fronds are green. Leaves are pinnately compound,
with pinnae up to 2′ (60 cm) long. Pinnae have rough, wavy edges.
They are approximately opposite.