Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · CC BY-SA 4.0
About
Also known as the elkhorn or staghorn fern, *Platycerium bifurcatum* is a popular ornamental epiphyte recognized for its distinctive, arching, forked fertile fronds.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant features heart-shaped sterile fronds (12–45 cm long) and arching, forked, strap-shaped fertile fronds that can grow up to 90 cm long. The overall size of large specimens can reach 90 cm tall by 80 cm broad.
Distribution & habitat
Native to Java, Bali, New Guinea, New South Wales, Queensland, and Lord Howe Island.
Ecology
The plant forms aggregations where lower individuals produce sterile fronds to soak up water, while upper, strap-frond producing individuals collect detritus, suggesting a shared nutrient and water resource among the group.
Cultivation notes
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant for gardens and can be grown outdoors in sheltered temperate locations (minimum temperature of 5 °C), or kept as a houseplant.
History & etymology
The genus name *Platycerium* comes from the Greek platys (flat) and ceras (horn), and the specific epithet *bifurcatum* means forked, both referring to the morphology of the fertile fronds.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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