Staghorn and Elkhorn Ferns

By drdawg
December 29, 2014

Decades ago, most growers and sellers of Staghorn Ferns were as likely to call them Elkhorn Ferns as they would Staghorn Ferns. Those two terms are not quite as likely to be used (on labels) for the same plant today, but the confusion still exists. I think the majority of people still believe that Staghorns and Elkhorns are the same plant. Staghorn Ferns are epiphytic plants and Elkhorn Ferns are terrestrial plants. Though they are of the same family of plants (Polypody), they are different genera and really are nothing alike.

[View the item]

Image
Dec 28, 2014 6:32 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Ken,
Thank you for this informative article. I have a small Common Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) but I have seen some really huge plants in collections and at botanical gardens, some so large and heavy that it takes heavy chains to hang them. I have just one small staghorn and a large fern that I've always known as Elkhorn Fern (Microsorum punctatum) which is what the label read when I purchased it as a small plant sometime in 2009 ... but now I'm wondering if perhaps it's the Climbing Birds Nest Fern/ Dwarf Elkhorn Fern (Microsorum punctatum 'Grandiceps') ? There are currently no photos in our database but I see our database has Polypodium grandiceps listed as a synonym. This is my plant in question, do you think it could be the Climbing Birds Nest?
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


Image
Dec 28, 2014 6:53 PM CST
Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)
Bromeliad Vegetable Grower Region: United States of America Tropicals Plumerias Orchids
Region: Mississippi Master Gardener: Mississippi Hummingbirder Cat Lover Composter Seller of Garden Stuff
That' a very fine Elkhorn Fern aka Climbing Birds Nest Fern, Lin. Thumbs up

Thanks for the acorn gift. Thank You!
drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.
Image
Dec 28, 2014 7:23 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Birds Butterflies Bee Lover Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Thanks so much for the confirmation Ken ... and you are very welcome for the Acorn gift ... well deserved!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


You must first create a username and login before you can reply to this thread.
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by Zoia and is called "Charming Place Setting"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.