Staghorn fern Close up
The Staghorn Fern's scientific name is Platycerium and is a genus of approximately 18 fern species. Staghorns are epiphytes and not parasites as they grow on the host plant, but don't get their food from the host.
These ferns have two types of leaves, namely basil and fertile leaves. The basil leaves are half-moon shaped and nestles against the tree trunk on which they grow to protect the roots.
On the photo below, note the dead basil leaves and the spores underneath some of the leaves.
The fertile leaves bear spores underneath the leaves. Some of the basil leaves forms a bucket to catch dead leaves, the rotting leaves and other matter serve as food for the fern. The basil leaves also dies, rot and serve the same purpose,---- food for the plant
The photo below shows the spores underneath the leaves close up.
One leave close up.
A full plant growing on a tree.
Here you can see the basil leaves "hugging" the tree.
The basil leaves forming a bucket to catch dead leaves.
A fern growing on a palm tree.
Some dead basil leaves
Grean basil leaves.
Spores underneath the leave.
Close up of spores.
These ferns are really very interesting plants and really looks beautiful in the garden.
All photos above were taken by myself, with my iPhone, in my dad's garden.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it.