Staghorn Fern | Herbarium Digital Library


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Staghorn Fern

Category: Philippine Endangered Species
Date Posted: 2006-01-04

Scientific Name: Platycerium grande (J. Sm. ex Fee) Presl

Family: Polypodiaceae

Common Name: Staghorn Fern

Local Name: Capa de leon

Description: The giant staghorn fern has upright sterile leaflike structures of glossy, vivid green. Upper lobes of its leaves are forked at both edges. Leaf patterns are clearly visible while large, forked pairs of leaves also appear with age. These woody and striated structures are 55x80cm in size, approximately 1cm thick near the middle, then widen gradually. Its wedge-shaped leaf blades are equally divided into 2 more or less symmetrical lobes, separated by a narrow strip.

Habitat: This can be found on crowns of forest trees at sea level to 1,000m elevation.

Conservation Status: Threatened

Threats: Over-collection due to its ornamental value.