Acrostichum aureum  

This species is more commonly known as the Golden Mangrove Fern and is native to the north of Western Australia. It is a large understory fern which can grow up to 4 metres high and is often as broad as it is tall (Spooner 1997). The root system is visible above the ground and is sturdily built with large scales on its surface. Its leaves are dull green to golden green in colour and have a leathery texture. Fertile leaflets grow at the tips of the fronds with sporangia on their underside(Spooner 1997).
Its habitat is often muddy or salty soils on moist ground in and around mangroves. It has a high salt water tolerance and can be described as semi aquatic but does not withstand prolonged immersion (Hill 2006).