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| Category: Fern |
| Family: Polypodiaceae (Common Ferns) |
| Origin: Australia (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: NA |
| Bloomtime: Not Significant |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Platycerium bifircatum (Staghorn Fern) - This is an epiphytic fern that will develop into a massive 6 foot diameter ball of brown sterile leaves with the fertile leaves radiating from it. The flat oval sterile leaves serve as a collecting place for organic matter and support the plant while the fertile leaves radiate outwards and are 2 to 3 feet long, deeply lobed (bifurcated) and resemble deer antlers. It can grow in nearly full day sun but looks best in part day sun to light shade. Water regularly (~ every 1-2 weeks) during dry months. Hardy to short duration temperatures to about 23 degrees F. Nursery plants are often placed on a board with attached moss but can be grown easily in the crotch of a tree or any location where organic matter can accumulate.
Native to New Guinea, and along the coasts of Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'platys' meaning "flat" and 'ceras' meaning "a horn" in reference to the shape of the fronds. The specific epithet means to fork into two branches referring to the fertile fronds. In Australia it is called Elkhorn Fern. This species was awarded the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993. An amazing large specimen plant hangs from a branch of the large Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) behind our accounting office.
This information about Platycerium bifircatum displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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