Capa de leon STAGHORN FERN Platycerium bifurcatum/Platycerium grandeFamily: Polypodiaceae
At first glance this unusual fern may not strike one as truly fern-like, since it lacks the lacy appearance of more common ferns. In English, its botanical name Platycerium bifurcatum means, "broad-horn twice-forked," and provides an accurate description of the plant's physical appearance. The green spore-bearing fronts resemble forked and flattened deer antlers. This dramatic and extraordinary fern is native to warm-temperate Australia. It has an "epiphytic" growth habit, that is, it grows high above the ground on the branches of trees. Its roots grow into and feed on the host plant, but never contact the soil. Commonly called "air plants" epiphytic plants include bromeliads, orchids, lichens, and some species of ferns and of cacti and succulents.
 

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.