Piai Lasu (Acrostichum speciosum)

The Piai Lasu (Acrostichum speciosum) is a common species of mangrove fern, often found at seaward side of mangroves and in areas with mud lobster mounds.


The ferns form clumps up to 1.5m tall, and generally prefer shady areas.


The fronds have elongated pointed tips.

The other mangrove fern, Piai Raya (Acrostichum aureum), is much larger (up to 4m tall) and leaf tips are usually blunt.


Like other ferns, they reproduce from spores, and large sporangia cover the undersides of fertile fronds.

The leaves are used for thatching.

References

• Chong, K. Y., H. T. W. Tan & R. T. Corlett, 2009. A Checklist of the Total Vascular Plant Flora of Singapore: Native, Naturalised and Cultivated Species. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore. Singapore. 273 pp.
• Giesen, W., S. Wulffraat, M. Zieren & L. Scholten. 2006. Mangrove guidebook for Southeast Asia. RAP Publication 2006/07. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific & Wetlands International. Bangkok. 769 pp.
• Ng, P. K. L., and N. Sivasothi. 1999. A guide to the mangroves of Singapore 1 : the ecosystem & plant diversity. Singapore Science Centre. Singapore. 168 pp.