Species Guide
Platycerium, species by species.
Each species with its Latin, Chinese and Japanese names. Care notes, mother-plant photos, what is currently for sale.
Platycerium coronarium
crown staghorn fern
Platycerium coronarium, the crown staghorn fern, is a lowland epiphyte of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. Tall upright shield fronds split into a crown, and its pendulous fertile fronds can hang well over two metres, with spores on a separate kidney-shaped lobe. It pups, tolerates more than ridleyi, and rewards growers with vertical space.
Platycerium madagascariense
Madagascar staghorn fern
Platycerium madagascariense, the Madagascar or waffle staghorn fern, is the smallest species in the genus, from humid forest in eastern Madagascar. Its rounded shield fronds carry a raised honeycomb of veins, vivid green when active; the short fertile fronds spread outward. It pups readily but demands constant humidity, moving air and mild temperatures, which makes it a collector's challenge.
Platycerium ridleyi
Ridley's staghorn fern
Platycerium ridleyi, Ridley's staghorn fern, is a canopy epiphyte from Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. Its ribbed shield fronds close into a ball, and its upright, forked fertile fronds carry spores on separate spoon-shaped lobes. It never produces pups, needs bright light with moving air, and is the most sought-after species among collectors.
Platycerium veitchii
silver staghorn fern
Platycerium veitchii, the silver staghorn fern, comes from dry open woodland in Queensland, Australia, where it grows on rocks as often as on trees. Its narrow fertile fronds stand upright under dense white stellate hairs. It is the most sun-, drought- and cold-tolerant species in the genus, pups freely, and is the source of 'Lemoinei' and the Auburn River form.
Platycerium wandae
queen staghorn fern
Platycerium wandae, the queen staghorn fern, is the largest species in the genus, native to lowland rainforest in New Guinea. Its shield fronds can span two metres with deeply cut tops and a distinctive frill of lacerated tissue around the bud; the broad fertile fronds hang beneath. It never pups, so every plant is spore-grown, and mature specimens are collection centrepieces.
Platycerium willinckii
Java staghorn fern
Platycerium willinckii, the Java staghorn fern, is an epiphyte of seasonally dry forest on Java and nearby Indonesian islands. Long, narrow, repeatedly forked fertile fronds hang under a coat of silver stellate hairs; the tall shields are lobed at the top. It is sun-tolerant, pups freely, and is the parent of most named cultivars collectors chase.