Common name: Elkhorn Fern
Platycerium bifurcatum (Cav.) C.Chr. APNI* 
Description: Bracket epiphyte, rhizome much branched.
Sterile `nest leaves' 12–30 cm wide, the upper part rounded, the margin sinuate or obtusely lobed, becoming brown and papery with age.
Fertile fronds usually 25–90 cm long, ± erect or pendent, dichotomously divided 2–5 times, the ultimate segments narrow, 0.5–3 cm wide; sporangia in several patches, covering all or the greater part of the ultimate segments. Plantlets grow from buds on the outer lower margin and enable the clump to encircle the tree trunk.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread, usually epiphytic in rainforest; north from Mimosa Rocks N.P.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CWS, LHI
Other Australian states: Qld
Text by Peter G. Wilson
Taxon concept: P.D. Bostock & T.M. Spokes (1998)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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