They are found on several continents, South America, Africa, Asia as well as Australasia and unsurprisingly thrive in tropical and temperate climates. They really aren’t your average fern at all.
They produce a short rhizome (or root stalk) and this is the point from which the plant grows its fronds. However, it has a trick up its sleeve here.
Of course, some end up quite close to the ground too!
The basal fronds are also used to protect the tufted roots of the plant from harm and from becoming too dry. Some species of platycerium have fertile fronds which produce lobes in the shape of a crown. These catch water and other forest detritus. Mostly, though, they are shaped like antlers, which gives the plants their common names.
Each front contains sporangia – these are where the spores are born and they are arranged on the lobes of the fronds. These particular spores are often called sporangiospores which admittedly does sound like an Italian pasta meal but without them there would be no next generation of platycerium.

Image Credit Flickr User tanetahi
Each front contains sporangia – these are where the spores are born and they are arranged on the lobes of the fronds. These particular spores are often called sporangiospores which admittedly does sound like an Italian pasta meal but without them there would be no next generation of platycerium.
Platycerium can form colonies but some species have a single rootstalk. Colonies are created when a single rhizome (rootstalk) forms a branch. When the spores are released then hopefully they will alight on neighboring trees and start the process of growth again there.
Many gardeners are enthusiastic about platycerium and the advantage of the colonial types of this gorgeous fern is that they can be propagated through a process of division. Once they are divided then some keen gardeners will strap the new plant (using stockings!) to a tree until a new rhizome is strong enough to support the plant’s weight on its own.

They are an obvious talking point for a garden but are even more spectacular in the wild. When mature they are large – often more than a meter in width.

You might be forgiven for thinking that platycerium are parasitic but you would be wrong. In a similar way to orchids, they grow on the host plant but do not take sustenance from it. They generate their own food and so do not need to draw food from their ‘host’ tree.
Many gardeners are enthusiastic about platycerium and the advantage of the colonial types of this gorgeous fern is that they can be propagated through a process of division. Once they are divided then some keen gardeners will strap the new plant (using stockings!) to a tree until a new rhizome is strong enough to support the plant’s weight on its own.
Kuriositas would like to thanks Flickr Users tanetahi, Danya R, Jiggs Images, Bellingen1, Poytr and dracophylla for their very kind permission to use their wonderful photographs. Please visit their photostreams and discover their pictures!
Give a Gift
If you enjoyed this article, please consider making a gift to help Kuriositas to continue to bring you fascinating features, photographs and videos.
Thank you!