Platycerium bifurcatum

Platycerium bifurcatum, the elkhorn fern or common staghorn fern,[1] is a species of fern native to Java, New Guinea and eastern Australia, in New South Wales, Queensland and on Lord Howe Island. It is a bracket epiphyte occurring in and near rainforests. Growing to 90 cm (35 in) tall by 80 cm (31 in) broad, it has heart-shaped sterile fronds 12–45 cm (5–18 in) long, and arching grey-green fertile fronds which are forked and strap-shaped, and grow up to 90 cm (35 in) long.[1]

Platycerium bifurcatum
P. bifurcatum, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Polypodiineae
Family: Polypodiaceae
Genus: Platycerium
Species:
P. bifurcatum
Binomial name
Platycerium bifurcatum

The specific epithet bifurcatum means bifurcated or forked, referring to the fertile fronds.[2]

Platycerium bifurcatum is cultivated as an ornamental plant for gardens. With a minimum temperature requirement of 5 °C (41 °F), in temperate regions it may be grown outdoors in sheltered locations, otherwise as a houseplant.[1] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]

References
  1. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  2. http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2004/platycerium-bifurcatum.html
  3. "RHS Plant Selector - Platycerium bifurcatum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  4. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 79. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
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