Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Polypodiaceae
Botanical Name
Platycerium bifurcatum
Plant Common Name
Common Staghorn Fern
General Description
Large, rounded leaves that look like shields are a backdrop to the antler-like fronds of the common staghorn fern. A cold-tender, evergreen fern, it is native from Indonesia to New Guinea and eastern Australia. It is an epiphyte - not growing in soil but upon another plant such as a tree branch, trunk, or even wedged in between rocks in a cliff.
Quite variable in its form, this fern has two types of leaves. The sterile leaves, those that will not produce spores, are rounded to heart-shaped and a light to medium green and often feel felt-like. As they age or die, they turn tan. From the middle of the mat of sterile leaves arise the fertile, spore-producing fronds that are long and branched, arching or weeping at full maturity. They, too, are a light green with gray fuzz on them. Since ferns do not flower or set seed, these fronds will produce small spores during summer.
Grow staghorn fern in partial to full shade in a protected, humid area. As they are epiphytes, they must be raised in a hanging basket, on a lathe wall grate or upon a branch or tree trunk. This species will tolerate only a light frost outside. Indoors, especially when young and small, it can be placed in a sunroom or plant nook where it will receive bright indirect light and high humidity. It needs watering thoroughly through its fibrous root base often during the summer, but much less so in winter.
In frost-free regions, this fern will attain huge and heavy proportions whether in a massive, chain-supported hanging basket or upon a tree trunk. The "shields" of sterile leaves can be broken off or cut away to produce new, smaller plants.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Fern
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade, Full Shade
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Height
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Width
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
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Native To
Southeastern Asia, Australia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
None
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Olive, Gray Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
