Platycerium bifurcatum
| Platycerium bifurcatum | |
|---|---|
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| P. bifurcatum, Kuranda, Queensland, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pteridophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida/Pteridopsida (disputed) |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| (unranked): | Eupolypods I |
| Family: | Polypodiaceae |
| Genus: | Platycerium |
| Species: | P. bifurcatum |
| Binomial name | |
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Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C.Chr. |
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Platycerium bifurcatum, the elkhorn fern or staghorn fern, is a species of fern native to Java, New Guinea and southeastern 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.
The specific epithet bifurcatum means bifurcated or forked, referring to the fertile fronds.
Platycerium bifurcatum is widely 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. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
P. bifurcatum is native to
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