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Staghorn Fern
Name - Its botanical name is Platycerium (pronounced PLAT-ee-seer-ee-um).
Description - It is an epiphytic (lives in the branches of trees)
rain-forest fern best grown in a hanging basket. It produces two types of striking
large fronds; the sterile frond at the base is shield-shaped and acts as a support
for the plant, and the spore-bearing fertile fronds above are forked like a stag's
antlers, grow up to 1m/3ft long.
Origin - Australia, Peru,
Madagascar, New Guinea
Family - PolypodiaceaeVarieties
-The most popular variety is Platycerium bifurcatum, the smaller of the two most
cultivated stag's-horn ferns. Platycerium grande (regal elkhorn fern), has more
striking sterile fronds than the fertile ones.
Care Tips -
Needs warm, humid conditions in bright or semi-shaded spot and fibrous compost.
It can tolerate central heating as long as there is plenty of humidity. Room temperature
all year (cooler) in winter, but never below 16 C (61 F). Clean the fronds by
mist-spraying them orputting them outside in gentle rain in mild weather. Wiping
them will remove the attractive and functional felty surface. Water the plant
regularly in summer and less often in winter. Allow it to dry out slightly in
between.
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