I think is the only Platycerium that is endemic to the continent of Africa.

This is mounted up in an oak tree, Platycerium stemmaria.

Yup-- I've got a couple

Their shields are dry right now but there's a new one coming out

Gene - my experience is that their shield leaves turn brown very quickly except during the rainy season.

that figures-- I think I've only ever seen shields on these once. Which is why I tries this species only very recently.

I always thought that the plants being sold by vendors here were in bad shape.

My dad was recently given an african staghorn, like what Moose posted(one of the wide leafers and the generous fellow said it was a rare african species), but I am not good with Platycerium--I have the common bifurcatum and alcicorne, but don't really know this group well at all. The nicest ones I have ever seen are found at Block Botanical Gardens--pure insanity!

My dad was recently given an african staghorn, like what Moose posted(one of the wide leafers and the generous fellow said it was a rare african species), but I am not good with Platycerium--I have the common bifurcatum and alcicorne, but don't really know this group well at all. The nicest ones I have ever seen are found at Block Botanical Gardens--pure insanity!

Not sure if this is the exact one you have Moose, but it's rare and African...

What's in the big pot in the pumice? Perhaps a Pseudophoenix sp ?

Probably a Pseudophoenix vinifera, but I think the substrate/mulch seen is local limestone

Very nice Platyceriums Ron and everybody, well grown!

What do you find Platyceriums need to grow happily on a tree trunk? What conditions do they like to grow best?

Mandrew-- with the veining that seems to be forming on the shield (its not really that clear) I am guessing that your plant is Playcerium madagascariensis

This is a picture from the internet

What's in the big pot in the pumice? Perhaps a Pseudophoenix sp ?

Actually just a regular sargentii with lime rock--they love limestone. It's the only reliable 'soil' for them(Pseudophoenix, not the ferns).

Mandrew-- with the veining that seems to be forming on the shield (its not really that clear) I am guessing that your plant is Playcerium madagascariensis

This is a picture from the internet

img_1.jpg

Gene, the gifter said it was rare--the one above looks rare so "check" on that clue, but the leaf on the one above doesn't look wide enough--his had wide leaves and I think I would remember that pruning look on the discs--that looks awesome! The only thing for sure is I don't know...

P. Madagascariensis is one of the rarer ones I think and also one of the hardest ones to grow. The most awesome looking ones usually are.

Thanks for the info--Gene.

P. Madagascariensis is one of the rarer ones I think and also one of the hardest ones to grow. The most awesome looking ones usually are.

I know a few people here that specialize growing Platycerium, they have relayed to me that madagascariensis are indeed very difficult to cultivate. They have them in their collections but never look very good. Seems that unlocking the secret to their cultivation out of habitat remains elusive.

Here is holtumii attached to Heterospathe elata. You can see bifurcatum to the right and at the top is elephantotis.