BIFURCATUM - LARGE

Platycerium bifurcatum, commonly called staghorn fern, is an evergreen epiphytic fern that produces distinctive fertile fronds resembling the forked antlers of a stag. It is native to Southeast Asia, Polynesia and Australia, where it is typically found growing on tree trunks and branches. Two types of fronds are produced: (1) infertile fronds are the small somewhat inconspicuous leaves that cover the root crown and (2) fertile (spore-bearing) fronds are the leathery, gray-green fronds that grow outward from the crown to as much as 3’ long and give the plant its common name. Fertile fronds are covered with a grayish white felt. Synonymous with and sometimes sold as P. alcicorne.