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Platycerium
''Platycerium'' is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns due to their uniquely shaped fronds. This genus is Epiphyte, epiphytic and is native to tropical and temperate areas of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Guinea. Description ''Platycerium'' sporophytes (adult plants) have tufted roots, growing from a short rhizome, and bear two types of fronds - Frond dimorphism, basal and fertile fronds. Basal fronds are sterile, shield- or kidney-shaped, and laminate against the tree, to protect the fern's roots from damage and desiccation. In some ''Platycerium'' species, the top margin of these fronds will grow into an open crown of lobes; catching rainwater, falling forest litter, bird/animal droppings, and even an occasional fallen deceased animal, these plants build up their own “compost” system of nutrition over many years. Fertile fronds bear spores on the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Platycerium Stemaria
''Platycerium'' is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns due to their uniquely shaped fronds. This genus is epiphytic and is native to tropical and temperate areas of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Guinea. Description ''Platycerium'' sporophytes (adult plants) have tufted roots, growing from a short rhizome, and bear two types of fronds - basal and fertile fronds. Basal fronds are sterile, shield- or kidney-shaped, and laminate against the tree, to protect the fern's roots from damage and desiccation. In some ''Platycerium'' species, the top margin of these fronds will grow into an open crown of lobes; catching rainwater, falling forest litter, bird/animal droppings, and even an occasional fallen deceased animal, these plants build up their own “compost” system of nutrition over many years. Fertile fronds bear spores on their undersurface, are dic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Platycerium Elephantotis
''Platycerium'' is a genus of about 18 fern species in the polypod family, Polypodiaceae. Ferns in this genus are widely known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns due to their uniquely shaped fronds. This genus is epiphytic and is native to tropical and temperate areas of South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Guinea. Description ''Platycerium'' sporophytes (adult plants) have tufted roots, growing from a short rhizome, and bear two types of fronds - basal and fertile fronds. Basal fronds are sterile, shield- or kidney-shaped, and laminate against the tree, to protect the fern's roots from damage and desiccation. In some ''Platycerium'' species, the top margin of these fronds will grow into an open crown of lobes; catching rainwater, falling forest litter, bird/animal droppings, and even an occasional fallen deceased animal, these plants build up their own “compost” system of nutrition over many years. Fertile fronds bear spores on their undersurface, are dichot ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Platycerium Bifurcatum
''Platycerium bifurcatum'', commonly known as the elkhorn fern or staghorn fern, is a species of plant in the fern family Polypodiaceae native to Java, New Guinea, New South Wales, Queensland and Lord Howe Island. Description 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. Taxonomy The genus name ''Platycerium'' comes from the Greek ''platys'' (flat), and ''ceras'' (horn), while the specific epithet ''bifurcatum'' means forked. Both names are referring to the morphology of the fertile fronds. Habit Some aggregations of these ferns exhibit individuals specialized for different roles. Individuals near the bottom of such groups produce sterile fronds, which soak up water collected by strap frond producing individuals above. The strap frond producing individuals also collect detritus from above. These nu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
