Platycerium bifurcatum
Platycerium bifurcatum, the elkhorn fern or common staghorn fern, is a species of fern native to Java, New Guinea and eastern Australia, in New South Wales, Queensland and on Lord Howe Island. It is a bracket epiphyte occurring in and near rainforests. Growing to tall by broad, it has heart-shaped sterile fronds long, and arching grey-green fertile fronds which are forked and strap-shaped, and grow up to long.
The specific epithet bifurcatum means bifurcated or forked, referring to the fertile fronds.
Platycerium bifurcatum is cultivated as an ornamental plant for gardens. With a minimum temperature requirement of, 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.
