Acrostichum aureum
L.
Golden Mangrove fern
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(c) Braden J. Judson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Braden J. Judson
Summary
Source: WikipediaAcrostichum aureum, the golden leather fern, is a large species of fern that grows in mangrove swamps and other wet locations. Other common names include swamp fern and mangrove fern.
Description
A fern with a short to medium creeping rhizome. The rhizome is up to 3 cm thick. It has large fleshy roots. The fronds are erect and up to 4 m long. The leaflets are large, thick and leathery. They are only divided once. They have blunt tips. They often have a yellowish colour. It grows in clumps or spreads out over the ground. Under the uppermost leaves there is often a mass of spores in a brown sugary mass.
Edible Uses
In Cambodia, where the fern is known as prâng' tük (prâng'="cycad", tük="aquatic", Khmer language), the young leaves are eaten in salads. In the Indian state of Goa, the fern crosiers (young fiddleheads) are cooked in a spicy coconut-based gravy known as tonak and consumed as a delicacy by the local people.
Traditional Uses
The young leaves (unfolded fronds) are eaten in salads. They are also cooked.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Known Hazards
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase.
Distribution
A tropical plant. Usually found in open swampy or mangrove situations. It cannot tolerate saltwater. It grows in Australia in the Northern Territory and Queensland. It is eaten in the Solomon Islands. It occurs throughout the tropics. It is very frost tender. It occurs in brackish pools and swamps and creeks near the beach. It can be on cliff-faces by the sea.
Where It Grows
Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caroline Islands, Central Africa, China, Chuuk, East Africa, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, FSM, Gabon, Ghana, Guam, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Micronesia, Mozambique, Niue, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Tahiti, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turks & Caicos, USA, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Africa, Yap,
Cultivation
It is slow to re-establish if transplanted. Often transplanted plants die. The best option is to transplant young plants growing from spores. It can be grown from spores.
Other Uses
The ferns are dried, strung up on rods, and used instead of straw as thatch for the roof. The fronds can be combined with the leaves of Parinari laurinum.
Other Information
It is used as food in Australia, but it is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.
Notes
There are 3 Acrostichum species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Akohorafanjava, Babasaga, Boresi, Boreti, Caca, Drababasavuga, Hagnaya, Hana meamea, Kalakeok, Kerakas, Khari bhaji, Kolovolo, Leather fern, Maakula hangali, Mayefungi, Marsh fern, Pakis laut, Paku larat, Paku laut, Palatava, Peye, Piai, Prang tuk, Sa'ato, Swamp fern, Vativati, Wihakas
References (40)
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