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Staghorns and Elkhorns
Platycerium species and cultivars
Family: PolypodiaceaeThe are spectacular epiphtytic ferns. Besides the Australian species, a number of others occur in other parts of the world.
They are much prized for lending a tropical rainforest look to a garden, especially when growing high in trees, mimicing their habitat in the bush. To meet demand from gardeners, harvesting from the bush has unfortunately occurred in the past. Today, such activities are regulated (see below).
The links below provide a lot of basic information about various members of this genus.
Only buy plants which have been legally obtained
In Queensland, certain types of plants, including Platycerium species, are subject to special regulations to help protect them in the wild. These laws cover activities such as harvesting, propagating, movement of and trade in whole pants and plant parts. When purchasing, look for plants carrying an official government tag to be sure they have been legally obtained.The following links have been provided for general information but they (and the information contained in them) are NOT necessarily complete or up-to-date. Be sure to CHECK WITH APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES yourself if you think such laws may affect you (including private individuals). If you're outside Qld (or trading with others outside Qld) check with relevant bodies governing those locations.
If you want to find out more about current laws concerning propagation, movement or trade in protected plants in Qld, visit the Department of Environment and Resource Management website. For some factsheets to get you started, try: www.derm.qld.gov.au/services_resources/item_list.php?series_id=200678. Contact the department for further information if you wish to engage in such activities.
Nurseries supplying Platycerium to Qld
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May include online suppliers. For the most up-to-date information on plants in stock, opening hours, prices etc, be sure to visit the seller's website or contact the business directly.SORRY, NO LISTINGS AT PRESENT
If you operate a nursery selling staghorns and elkhorns at the retail level to Qld, click here: Advertising information.
More Online Information
There are also a number of links about growing ferns in general from spores on the main Ferns Page
Queensland
Drynaria & Platycerium
Interesting Fern Genera Society for Growing Australian Plants Queensland Region, Inc.
Platycerium superbum (POLYPODIACEAE) - Staghorn Save Our Waterways Now, Brisbane
Platycerium sp Pictures of young plants. Save Our Waterways Now, Brisbane
Platycerium bifurcatum Elkhorn fern. Save Our Waterways Now, Brisbane
Platycerium bifurcatum Elkhorn. Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network
Platycerium bifurcatum Elkhorn fern. James Cook University, Qld
Lamington National Park Website The University of Queensland Check under "Flora of Lamington" species descriptions for information on Staghorns and Elkhorns.
Australia
Platycerium superbum Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Platycerium Desv. Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research
Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Platycerium bifurcatum Australian National Botanic Gardens
Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C.Chr. PlantNET, Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney
Platycerium superbum PlantNET, Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney
International
NB: Overseas, the comon name "staghorn" is also applied to our elkhorn P. bifurcatum.
The Platycerium Site from South Africa
Staghorns and elkhorns Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture
Staghorn Fern general tips from University of Florida
Staghorn Fern Culture The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
Platycerium bifurcatum - Staghorn Fern as an indoor plant
Family Polypodiaceae, genus Platycerium part of the Checklist of World Ferns website
Staghorns and elkhorns at the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture website
My love affair with a staghorn fern Reproduction of a 1976 article, Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society (PDF)
Platycerium bifurcatum University of Oklahoma
Warning: collection, propagation, movement, sale or purchase of any Australian native plant may be subject to laws and regulations. Be sure to check with appropriate authorities before engaging in these activities, even on private property. Other laws may also apply to the treatment and movement of plant or soil material (for example, to control the spread of weeds, pests and diseases.)
