Platycerium bifurcatum

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Plant
ID 431 Platycerium bifurcatum
Botanic Name Platycerium bifurcatum
Common Name Elkhorn
Family Name Polypodiaceae
Cultivars
Origin Australia, Indonesia, Lord Howe Island, Zone 9-12
Growth Type Fern
Bark Type Stemless / Acaulescent
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 12
Growth Habit Epiphytic Growth Rate Medium
Height 0.4 - 1 m (1 - 3 ft) Spread 2 m (7 ft)
Plant Overview
This epiphytic fern forms a large clump on a host with a short creeping rhizome behind a nest of mid green semi pendant fronds. The fertile fronds are pendulous and are felty-brown on the underside.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Reniform
The nest leaves are wedged shape and deeply lobed up to 300 mm (1 ft) wide laying flat across the root system. The pendant fertile fronds appear from a central point of the sterile fronds and are up to 1 m (3 ft) long.
Arrangement Rosette
Margin Entire
Colour Mid green
Size 100 - 450 mm ( 3.9 - 17.7 in )
Flower
Perfume Additional Information
Shape
The sporangia appear on the tips on the underside of the pendant fertile fronds like a thick brownish blanket during late summer.
Inflorescence Sori
Colour Brown
Size 100 - 300 mm ( 3.9 - 11.8 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Sporangium Additional Information
Colour Brown
The spores are produced in the sporangium during the sporophyte stage of the fern life cycle in rows on the back of the fertile frond. The spores are very small (like fine dust) and are released from the sori when mature.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Moderately drained, leaf mould-damp peat-like material, acidic pH 6.0-70
Container Hanging baskets, old tree fern trunks, walls, under glass in cool climates
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Semi shade, humid wind protected position, frost and drought tender
Pest & Diseases Staghorn borer, staghorn beetle, wind or frost burn, slaters, whiteflies
Fertiliser Light application of liquid fertiliser or blood and bone, add leaf mould to the top and keep moist
Pruning Normally not necessary remove spent true fronds
Cultural Uses Propagation
Elkhorn is a hardy and interesting fern that is grown for its foliage and habit. It is grown on trees or walls on a timber backing as a specimen or used as a feature plant on a rock (lithophyte). It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions.
Offset may be separated from parent plants and tied to host with added peat moss and leaf mould. Divide rhizomes in to lengths and plant upward with bottom heat and keep moist during growing period.
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