Platycerium bifurcatum Cav., C. Chr.

Common name(s): Elkhorn Fern

Family: Polypodiaceae
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Fern
Fern
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Fern
Fern
Taken by Ken Harrington
Fertile_frond
Fertile Frond
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Fern / Fern Ally Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: NC, CC, SC, JB, LH, CAN
  • QLD: CO, KN, KS, LE, PC, BN, WB, MO
Plant Type
Epiphytic Fern
Epiphytic Fern
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub, Tropical
Temperate Warm,
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Morning, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium
Sun - Morning,
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Light,
Shade - Medium
Habitat Range(s)
Rainforest - Tropical
Rainforest - Tropical
Habitat Zone(s)
Moist areas, Understory
Moist areas,
Understory
Mature Height
500-750mm, 750mm-1m, 1-2m
500-750mm,
750mm-1m,
1-2m
Mature Width
750mm-1m
750mm-1m
Plant Shape
Pendulous Open Bun
Pendulous Open Bun
Pendulous Open Bun Pendulous Open Bun
Growth Rate
Moderate
Moderate
Life Span
30-50yrs
30-50yrs
Frond Properties
Frond Colour(s) (upper)
Green
Green
Frond Colour(s) (lower)
Grey-green
Grey-green
Frond Texture (upper)
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Frond Texture (lower)
Pulverulent
Pulverulent
Pulverulent Pulverulent
Frond Aroma
None
None
Frond Length
250-300mm, 300-400mm, 400-500mm, 500-600mm, 600-700mm, 700-800mm, 800-900mm
250-300mm,
300-400mm,
400-500mm,
500-600mm,
600-700mm,
700-800mm,
800-900mm
Frond Shape(s)
Flabellate
Flabellate
Flabellate Flabellate
Furcate
Furcate
Frond Arrangement
Basal or Radial
Basal or Radial
Basal or Radial Basal or Radial
Root Properties
Root Type(s)
Clinging
Clinging
Epiphytic
Epiphytic
Clinging Clinging,
Epiphytic Epiphytic
Root/Rhizome Texture(s)
Pliable , Soft
Pliable,
Soft
Soil Properties
Soil Type(s)
Organic Matter, Hummus Rich, Soil-less
Organic Matter,
Hummus Rich,
Soil-less
Soil pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral
Soil Condition(s)
Damp
Damp
Moist
Moist
Damp Damp,
Moist Moist
Fertile , Well Drained
Fertile,
Well Drained
Soil Salinities
None
None
None None
Waterlogging Class
W0 – Low tolerance
W0 – Low tolerance
Watering Requirements
WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy, WR3 - never let soil dry out
WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy,
WR3 - never let soil dry out
Other Properties / Uses
Bird Attraction(s)
Insect, Nesting, Habitat
Insect,
Nesting,
Habitat
Butterfly Attraction
None
None
Frog Habitat
Moderate
Moderate
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Frost Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Smog Tolerant
Poor
Poor
Landscape Use
Moderate
Moderate
Special Purpose(s)
Garden-Australian Native, Garden-Fern, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Informal, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Playground Friendly, Shade Tolerant, Shady Moist, Specimen
Garden-Australian Native,
Garden-Fern,
Garden-Foliage,
Garden-Informal,
Garden-Rainforest,
Garden-Tropical,
Playground Friendly,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Moist,
Specimen
Pest / Diseases
Scale, Mealy Bug
Scale,
Mealy Bug
Humidity Requirements
Medium, High, Very High
Medium,
High,
Very High
Fertilising Requirements
FR2, FR6
FR2,
FR6
Wind Tolerance
Light Winds
Light Winds
Weed Potential(s)
United States
  • Hawaii: Declared
  • Florida: Strong

General Notes

The Elkhorn is made up of a mass of plantlets, composed of a nest leaf 120-300mm wide lying against the host tree with nest leaves of neighbouring plantlets overlapping. The nest leaves become brown and papery with age and are sterile. Fertile fronds 250mm - 900mm long protrude from each plantlet. The base of the true fronds are narrowly wedge shaped while the top section can be forked several times.

Unfortunately around the world it has escaped the garden and has become in some places an environmental weed.