Acrostichum daneifolium

Synonym(s)

(Acrostichum excelsum)

Giant Leather Fern

Phonetic Spelling

ack-ro-STISH-um dan-ee-if-FOLE-ee-um

Description

Giant Leather Fern, Acrostichum danaeifolium, is a perennial fern that can grow to approximately 6-12 feet tall with a spread of 5-10 feet wide. It requires moist, acidic, clay, loam, sand or organic material (muck) and sun or part shade. This plant is not drought tolerant. It is too tall for a groundcover but may be used as a hedge or in a mass background planting. Fronds can reach an impressive 12 feet in length.

Family

Pteridaceae

Native Range

Monroe County Keys north to St. Johns and Dixie counties; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America.

Hardiness Zone(s)

9-11

Lifespan

Perennial; herbaceous

Habitats

A wide variety of freshwater or brackish wetlands from marshes to swamps.

Exposure

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Growth Habit

Size: 6-8 (12) ft tall by 5-8 (10) ft wide

Phenology

Evergreen. Fertile fronds present nearly year round.

Propagation

Spore

Moisture

Aquatic to usually moist, occasional inundation.

Salt Spray Tolerance

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.

Recommended Uses

Specimen plant or mass background planting in moist areas.

Pot Size

2 Gallon Pot (327.7 fl. oz/9.7 L)