Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C.Chr.
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C.Chr., Index. Filic., 496 (1906)
Synonymy:
- ≡ Acrostichum bifurcatum Cav., Anales Hist. Nat. 1: 105 (1799)
Holotype: Port Jackson [Sydney, New South Wales], L. Née, MA (not seen)
Etymology:
Vernacular Name(s):
elk's-horn fern; staghorn fern
Recognition
This species is easily recognised by its perching, epiphytic habit and strongly dimorphic fronds, with sterile, appressed, orbicular to reniform, basal ‘nest’ fronds, and fertile, pendulous, dichotomously dividing, aerial fronds. The lamina segments are strap-shaped and densely covered in stellate hairs. The major veins divide dichotomously, but the minor veins are reticulate; the areoles lack free included veinlets, and hydathodes are absent. Sporangia form dense patches on the lamina between the apex and the first fork, paraphyses are present as stellate hairs, and indusia are lacking.
Distribution
Platycerium bifurcatum distribution map based on databased records at AK, CHR and WELT.
North Island: Northland, Auckland, Volcanic Plateau.
Known from Russell, Mt Maunganui and a few collections around Auckland.
Occurs naturally in Australia (Queensland, New South Wales) and Lord Howe Island (Bostock & Spokes 1998).
Known from Russell, Mt Maunganui and a few collections around Auckland.
Occurs naturally in Australia (Queensland, New South Wales) and Lord Howe Island (Bostock & Spokes 1998).
Habitat
Recorded as a perching epiphyte on branches of Cordyline australis (cabbage tree), Metrosideros excelsa (pohutukawa), Ficus macrophylla (Moreton Bay fig) and Eriobotrya japonica (loquat) in urban areas where it is likely to have spread from nearby cultivated plants.
Bibliography
Bostock, P.D.; Spokes, T.M. 1998: Polypodiaceae. In: Flora of Australia. Vol. 48. 468-495.
Cavanilles, A.J. 1799: Descripcion de los géneros Goodenia y Scaevola, del Arundo australis, y de diez especies del género Acrostichum. Anales de Historia Natural 1(2): 89-107.
Christensen, C. 1906: Index Filicum sive enumeratio omnium generum specierumque Filicum et Hydropteridium. Hagerup, Copenhagen.
Heenan, P.B.; de Lange, P.J.; Cameron, E.K.; Ogle, C.C.; Champion, P.D. 2004: Checklist of dicotyledons, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes naturalised or casual in New Zealand: additional records 2001-2003. New Zealand Journal of Botany 42: 797-814.