STAGHORN FERN

member of the genus Platycerium (family Polypodiaceae), which is bizarre in appearance and frequently displayed in conservatories and other collections. Platycerium is epiphytici.e., the plants grow upon other plants. The leaves are of two forms; one type is elongated, erect or pendulous, and repeatedly forked, hence the name staghorn. The other leaf type is flat or bowl-shaped and grows closely appressed to the support on which the plant lives. Termed mantle leaves, these provide in some species a kind of cavity in which humus collects and roots develop and absorb moisture and nutrients. The spore-producing structures (sporangia) are variously disposed on the lower sides of these leaves according to species. Staghorn fern is also a common name for 10 species constituting the genus Gleichenia, native to subtropical and south temperate areas. They have small leaf segments and form dense growths in sunny places.