Staghorn Fern (epiphyte)

Description:

Platycerium superbum (pron. superb-um), commonly known as the "staghorn fern", is a bracket epiphyte and occurs naturally in tropical and subtropical rainforests. It is native to northeast New South Wales and Queensland in eastern Australia, but can also be found in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. This staghorn caught my eye because of its sheer size. It's a good specimen. I use a guidebook called "A Brisbane Bushland" which is about flora and fauna found at Enoggera Reservoir, which lies just to the east of Gold Creek Reservoir, and is also in Brisbane Forest Park. The only species of staghorn fern it has listed in the park is Platycerium superbum, so I'm confident with this ID. Also Qld govt. site info on species in D'Aguilar National Park - https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetla...

Habitat:

Spotted in subtropical rainforest along the Gold Creek walking track at Gold Creek Reservoir, which lies just to the west of Brisbane. Freshwater lake and dense native bushland vegetation of dry eucalypt forests and subtropical rainforests. This particular area was well-shaded by large trees, and despite the drought, was cool and moist, particularly in the early AM hours.

Notes:

Staghorn or elkhorn? The difference between these two plants is the elkhorn (Platycerium bifurcatum) has thinner, whispier leaves and multiple “eyes” or rosettes of foliage, whereas the staghorn (Platycerium superbum – pronounced superb-um) has a single eye and larger leaves. These two species are now very popular as cultivated plants.