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African & American Platycerium
Staghorn fern species from mainland Africa, Madagascar and South America, including P. andinum, the only Platycerium native to the Americas, and the honeycomb-fronded P. madagascariense.
- P. alcicorne 'Africa'
- P. alcicorne 'Madagascar'
- P. andinum
- P. stemaria
- P. ellisii
- P. madagascariense
- P. quadridichotomum
- P. elephantotis
Platycerium alcicorne 'Africa'
Platycerium alcicorne is the African staghorn fern, with stiff, upright and repeatedly forked fertile fronds above rounded shield fronds. This is the mainland African form, which collectors grow alongside the Madagascar form.
- Parent
- P. alcicorne
- Parent native to
- East Africa (Mozambique and Zimbabwe), Madagascar and nearby Indian Ocean islands
In our wholesale catalogue now: P. alcicorne 'Africa' · P. (alcicorne 'Africa' × elephantotis) 'N'
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Platycerium alcicorne 'Madagascar'
Platycerium alcicorne is the African staghorn fern, with stiff, upright and repeatedly forked fertile fronds above rounded shield fronds. This is the Madagascar form, which collectors grow alongside the mainland African form.
- Parent
- P. alcicorne
- Parent native to
- East Africa (Mozambique and Zimbabwe), Madagascar and nearby Indian Ocean islands
In our wholesale catalogue now: P. madagascariense · P. alcicorne 'Madagascar' · P. alcicorne 'Madagascar' Gorgon · P. alcicorne 'Madagascar' Dwarf · P. madagascariense × alcicorne 'Madagascar'
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Platycerium andinum
Platycerium andinum, the American staghorn fern, is the only Platycerium native to the Americas. Its long, narrow fertile fronds hang down well over a metre on mature plants, covered in pale felt.
- Native to
- Peru and Bolivia — the only staghorn fern native to the Americas
In our wholesale catalogue now: P. andinum × willinckii · P. 'Antis' (andinum × elephantotis) · P. (stemaria × andinum) 'NUK'
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Platycerium stemaria
Platycerium stemaria, the triangle staghorn, comes from tropical West and Central Africa. Its broad, wedge-shaped fertile fronds fork near the tips, where the spore patches form.
- Native to
- Tropical West and Central Africa
In our wholesale catalogue now: P. stemaria · P. 'Kankluay' (stemaria × elephantotis) 'Batman' · P. (stemaria × andinum) 'NUK'
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Platycerium ellisii
Platycerium ellisii from Madagascar is one of the smaller species, with broad, glossy, bright-green fertile fronds that fork only once or twice.
- Native to
- Eastern Madagascar
In our wholesale catalogue now: P. ellisii × holttumii · P. ellisii · P. ellisii × elephantotis
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Platycerium madagascariense
Platycerium madagascariense is a small species prized for its shield fronds, which are raised into a network of ridges like a honeycomb. It needs steady humidity and is one for experienced growers.
- Native to
- Madagascar
In our wholesale catalogue now: P. madagascariense · P. madagascariense × alcicorne 'Madagascar'
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Platycerium quadridichotomum
Platycerium quadridichotomum from western Madagascar is a small species adapted to a long dry season: its fertile fronds curl up and the plant rests during drought, then unfurls again with water.
- Native to
- Western Madagascar
Not in the catalogue right now — message us and we will check availability and sizes.
Platycerium elephantotis
Platycerium elephantotis, the elephant-ear staghorn, has broad, undivided fertile fronds that hang like large ears — instantly recognisable and very different from the forked fronds of most species.
- Native to
- Central and East Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and neighbouring countries)
In our wholesale catalogue now: P. elephantotis · P. elephantotis 'Mammuthus' · P. (grande × elephantotis) 'B' · P. 'Antis' (andinum × elephantotis) · P. (alcicorne 'Africa' × elephantotis) 'N' · P. 'Kankluay' (stemaria × elephantotis) 'Batman' …
See live plants, sizes & prices →How to grow African and American Platycerium
Needs vary more in this group than in any other, so check the species. P. quadridichotomum is adapted to a long dry season: its fronds curl and the plant rests when dry, then recovers with water. Keep it on the dry side in the cool months.
P. madagascariense is one of the more demanding species. It needs steady humidity, gentle air movement and moderate temperatures, and the mount must never stay soggy.
P. andinum, the only staghorn fern native to the Americas, wants warmth, brightness and humidity. Avoid temperatures below about 15 °C, and give its long fertile fronds room to hang.
For all of them, water the medium, not the fronds, and water in the morning so the plant dries before night. See the care quick reference.
Like all staghorn ferns they are epiphytes: grow them mounted on a board or in a basket, never in soil. Light, temperature, humidity and watering at a glance: staghorn fern care quick reference. Full care notes: The Platycerium Textbook.
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