staghorn fern

staghorn fern
any of several epiphytic Old World ferns of the genus Platycerium, having broad, often antlerlike leaves and cultivated as a houseplant.
[1880-85]

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plant, genus Platycerium
      member of the genus Platycerium (family Polypodiaceae), which is bizarre in appearance and frequently displayed in conservatories and other collections. Platycerium (17 species of Africa, Asia, and South America) is epiphytic—i.e., the plants grow upon other plants. The leaves are of two forms; one type is elongated, erect or pendulous, and repeatedly forked, hence the name staghorn. The other leaf type is flat or bowl-shaped and grows closely appressed to the support on which the plant lives. Termed mantle leaves, these provide in some species a kind of bowl in which humus collects and roots develop and absorb moisture and nutrients. The spore-producing structures (sporangia) are variously disposed in large patches on the lower sides of the elongated leaves according to species.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • staghorn fern — n. any of a genus (Platycerium, family Polypodiaceae) of epiphytic ferns with antler shaped fronds and smaller, round barren fronds that cling to branches, wood, etc. for support …   English World dictionary

  • staghorn fern — noun any of various tropical ferns of the genus Platycerium having large flat lobed fronds often resembling the antlers of a stag • Hypernyms: ↑fern • Hyponyms: ↑South American staghorn, ↑Platycerium andinum, ↑common staghorn fern, ↑elkhorn fern …   Useful english dictionary

  • staghorn fern — puošnusis plačragis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šertvinių šeimos dekoratyvinis augalas (Platycerium superbum), paplitęs Australijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Platycerium superbum angl. staghorn fern šaltinis Valstybinės lietuvių kalbos… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • staghorn fern — (also stag s horn fern) noun a fern with fronds that resemble antlers, occurring in tropical rainforests and typically epiphytic. [Genus Platycerium.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • staghorn fern — /ˈstæghɔn fɜn / (say staghawn fern) noun any of various ferns of the tropical and subtropical genus Platycerium, family Polypodiaceae, having large fertile leaves resembling the horns of a stag, as P. superbum of Queensland. Also, elkhorn fern …  

  • common staghorn fern — noun commonly cultivated fern of Australia and southeastern Asia and Polynesia • Syn: ↑elkhorn fern, ↑Platycerium bifurcatum, ↑Platycerium alcicorne • Hypernyms: ↑staghorn fern • Member Holonyms: ↑Platycerium, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • common staghorn fern — elninis plačragis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šertvinių šeimos dekoratyvinis augalas (Platycerium bifurcatum), paplitęs Australijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Platycerium bifurcatum angl. common staghorn fern; elkhorn fern pranc. corne d élan… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • Java staghorn fern — elninio plačragio celebinis porūšis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šertvinių šeimos dekoratyvinis augalas (Platycerium bifurcatum subsp. willinckii), paplitęs Sulavesio ir Javos salose. atitikmenys: lot. Platycerium bifurcatum subsp.… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • triangular staghorn fern — afrikinis plačragis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šertvinių šeimos dekoratyvinis augalas (Platycerium stemaria), paplitęs Afrikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Platycerium stemaria angl. triangular staghorn fern šaltinis Valstybinės lietuvių kalbos …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • Staghorn — may refer to:*Staghorn coral, a branching coral *Rhus typhina, a shrub commonly called Staghorn sumac *Lycopodium clavatum, a moss commonly called Staghorn moss *Platycerium, a fern commonly called Staghorn fern *Pacific staghorn sculpin, a type… …   Wikipedia

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