Known as the Staghorn fern Platycerium superbum is native to lowland rainforests in Queensland and northern New South Wales. It is considered one of the more rare and impressive species of Staghorn fern.
As with other Platycerium species P. superbum is an epiphyte (grows on trees) or occasionally lithophytic (growing on rocks). Although the fern can look like a tangle of antlers at first, on closer inspection one can see the impressive ‘nest’ frond which can be 1m across at maturity. This ‘nest’ frond is designed to collect falling leaves and insects. These give the fern a valuable source of potassium and calcium, nutrients required for the production of their large fronds. It is from this frond that the fern attaches itself to the host tree. It protectively wraps around the rhizome and short roots, clasping onto the furrows in the bark with root like structures.
The fertile antler fronds emerge from low on the nest frond and can grow down to 2m in length at maturity. They are broad and multi branching in habit, hence the common name ‘Staghorn’. Midway along these fronds during summer the fern produces a mass of spores. This, along with its general size, is a distinguishing character for the species.
There are many ways to grow this fern although most are bought in small pots where the nest frond will have to mature before producing fertile fronds. Do consider the weight of these plants. It is popular to grow them mounted onto hardwood boards and hung up on a trellis or planted in a hanging basket suspended from a secure point on the ceiling. In warmer areas they can be attached directly to the trunk of a tree in the garden.
