Acrostichum was one of the original pteridophyte genera delineated by Linnaeus. It was originally drawn very broadly, including all ferns that had sori apparently "acrostichoid", or distributed in a solid mass across the back of the frond, rather than organized in discrete sori. This led Linnaeus to include such species as Asplenium platyneuron in the genus, because the specimen he received had sori so crowded that it appeared acrostichoid.

Since Acrostichum aureum is regarded as the type for the genus, it is now narrowly circumscribed only to the natural genus of three species, that are allied to the genus Ceratopteris

Ceratopteris

Ceratopteris is the only genus among homosporous ferns that is exclusively aquatic. It is pan-tropical.-Description:Erect aquatic or subaquatic ferns of moderate size...

. They are collectively known as the leather ferns or leather swamp ferns, genus members commonly being found in swamps. The species of Acrostichum are massive ferns, with fronds up to 12 feet (3.5 meters) tall, that depend on a semi-aquatic existence. They do not withstand prolonged immersion, but require wet roots. The species Acrostichum aureum is known to have a high saltwater tolerance, growing in mangrove

Mangrove

Mangroves are various kinds of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes N and S...

s.

Species

• Acrostichum aureum L.
• Acrostichum danaeifolium (Langsd.) Fisch.
• Acrostichum speciosum
  Acrostichum speciosum
  Acrostichum speciosum, the Mangrove Fern is a widespread plant found in Asia, Malesia and Australia. A clumping plant to 1.5 metres tall with reddish/brown fertile fronds and pointed leaf tips. It is found as far south as New South Wales...
  
  Willd.
• Acrostichum preaureum fossil plant.

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