Monday, October 4, 2010

Staghorn Fern (the rest of the story)

In Backyard Beauty two post back, I showed a leaf only and since some of you  wondered what the plant is, on Sunday morning, I FORCED myself to go in the back yard and document the plant.

Common Staghorn Fern, Elkhorn Fern, Antelope Ears
(what you call it depends on where your were born, South/North/WestThe photo was the top only of our Staghorn fern (Polypodiaceae plant family- genus Platycerium) Staghorn Ferns at a Glance 




 We have two of these ferns, they both weigh in at between 60 and 80 pounds. to purchase one at this size, you would pay between 300 to 1000.00.
 two distinctly different fronds  “sterile fronds,'' are rounded thickened fronds which grow in overlapping layers and clasp onto a growing surface.The upper parts of basal fronds may be lobed or divided and stand erect

 
stop by tomorrow for the story of how this plant had a baby...

19 comments:

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Those are huge plants Sandra and really beautiful. This is one we have in common with you.

photowannabe said...

Looking forward to hearing the rest of the story.
Those ferns are huge. I can see how they got their name.

George said...

This is a huge fern. Thanks for the information and pictures. I look forward to seeing the 'baby'.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

This is one huge plant.... Looks like it must be hanging to a very sturdy tree above.....

Can't wait to find out how it has a baby... Do you have more of these ferns started now that it has babies???

Gorgeous fern... I don't think I've ever seen one. Beautiful!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy

From the Kitchen said...

Around here, those ferns have to live indoors. We don't have one but I've seen them. Don't know how well they do indoors. I love their structure--certainly not your African violet!

Best,
Bonnie

Anonymous said...

I didn't know that plants had babies? I'll check back tomorrow to see the baby pictures. :-)

Ginny Hartzler said...

These ferns have always amazed me. I guess you got them when they were babies and they were either cuttings or you didn't pay very much. Wow, I just thought, how would you ever re-pot them into bigger planters when they need it, they weigh too much to handle. Do they stay root bound?

Dawning Inspiration said...

What an interesting fern! It's gorgeous! Can't wait to meet the baby!

Unknown said...

What an unusual looking plant nicely phoographed

Unknown said...

Ha ha ha that should say photographed

Remington said...

That is HUGE! Thanks for telling us all about it!

Hope said...

they are indeed HUGE.. and ever so beautiful.. they had something along this line of plant where we went this summer, on vacation.. wanted so bad to take a little and transplant it.. but I knew if I tried, it would only die here in Mt.. as its far to cold.. your so luck to have one in your back yard no less. yes.. I think I am on the verge of being a wee bit jealous.. "smile"

Hilary said...

Wow.. that's a beauty. A staghorn fern fawn story must be interesting. ;)

srp said...

Huge... is that in a hanging basket of some type? Wow, that must be a strong support!

DawnTreader said...

I can see how it got its name(s)! I think I might have seen a smaller one as an indoors plant some time, or else just pictures, I'm not sure. I wouldn't have been able to identify it from your previous post, though :)

SquirrelQueen said...

I used to see these everywhere when I lived in the south but here I rarely see them. I love ferns of all kinds. Looking forward to more photos.

Unknown said...

they are really huge, great post.

the red bus trail was done with a low shutter speed - 2 sec, the shutter speed depends on how long or short the trail you want to capture and you also have to consider the speed of the vehicle.

Catherine said...

Beautiful! AND expensive! I've heard of staghorn fern & have seen them but never put the two together. Thanks for the education. Will check back tomorrow to learn about the babies.

S. Etole said...

Thank you for showing us more of the plants ... they are enormous!