Staghorn Fern
ExplorePlants
Staghorn Fern
Platycerium grande (A.Cunn. ex Hook.) J.Sm.
Staghorn ferns are unique plants that grow on trees or rocks. They have long, antler-like leaves that can look like the horns of a deer. These ferns love humidity and can be found in tropical rainforests.
Habitat: Rainforests
Appearance
The Staghorn Fern is a unique epiphyte, showcasing two distinct frond types: large, round, sterile basal fronds that start green and turn brown to form a cup, and elongated, deeply lobed, fertile fronds resembling deer or elk antlers, often light green with a velvety texture underneath.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyPolypodiaceaeGenusPlatycerium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Some giant staghorn ferns can weigh over a hundred pounds!
The round, brown 'shield' leaves protect the roots and store water!
They don't have true roots in the ground, only for anchoring themselves!
Young staghorns grow as tiny plantlets, forming huge colonies over time!
Special abilities
Ability
Nutrient Collector
Staghorn Fern has tough, sterile basal fronds that create a basket to collect falling leaves, insects, and water for nutrients.
Ability
Tree Hugger
Staghorn Fern can grow on tree trunks or rocks using specialized roots, allowing it to reach sunlight above the forest floor.
Ability
Spore Scatterer
Staghorn Fern has fertile fronds with fuzzy undersides that release millions of tiny spores, helping it spread to new locations.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-150 cm
- Spread
- 50-200 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
shelters
spiny ant
Polyrhachis armata
builds nests within its basal fronds
depends on
weeping fig
Ficus benjamina
grows attached to its bark for support
parasitizes
hemispherical scale
Saissetia coffeae
feeds on the fern's sap, weakening it
Traits
Fronded
Fronded plants possess large, divided leaves, characteristic of ferns and certain palms.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Rainforest
This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.
Also known as
Elkhorn FernPlatycerium
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Admire these ferns from a distance to protect their delicate leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Staghorn Fern?
50-150 cm
How wide does Staghorn Fern spread?
50-200 cm
Is Staghorn Fern edible?
No
Is Staghorn Fern toxic?
None
What is Staghorn Fern's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is Staghorn Fern usually found?
Rainforests
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