Platycerium bifurcatum (Elkhorn Fern)


Botanical Information

FamilyPolypodiaceae
GenusPlatycerium
Speciesbifurcatum
CategoryTropicals
TypeFerns
OriginNew Guinea, coastal Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9 - 12
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1a - H3
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)1
Temperature (°F)25
Height0.9 - 1.2 m
Spread0.9 - 1.2 m
GrowthFast

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionAn epiphyte native to coastal Australia and New Guinea, latching onto many different species of trees in the area.
ShapeMounding.
LandscapeCan be trained to latch onto mature trees that can support it. Grow indoors in pots or containers in colder climates.
PropagationBy offsets of plantlets or spores.
CultivationPlant in partial shade in wet to moist soils.
PestsScale.
Notable SpecimensKings Park and Botanical Garden, Perth, Australia.
HabitatHumid, wet coastal forests.
Leaf DescriptionPronounced fertile fronds that are reminiscent of Elk's Horns. Fertile fronds are smaller and much less showy than the sterile larger fronds. Fertile fronds and small, simple-pinnate and are covered in a very loose fuzz.
Colour Descriptionrich green to grey-green sterile fronds. Darker green fertile fronds covered in a copper-brown fuzz. Woody-brown root.
Texture DescriptionSmooth.

Photographs