A crested form of the ever popular staghorn fern, ultimately developing multiple deeply separated lobes at the apex (tips) of the fronds that look like outstretched fingers.  These tropical epiphytic ferns typically grow in forks in large trees.  They grow slowly and set shield fronds around the base, which will eventually turn brown and papery, to protect their crowns and route water to the edge of their root system.  Light green new growth emerges from the shield covered in a very fine protective white fuzz that may fade to a light cinnamon color and begin to wear off as fronds mature and the fuzz is swept off by wind, water, and friction against other plants and foliage or from handling.  The fronds are at first very upright, but begin to arch over until they are nearly horizontal as they increase in size and become weighed down.  They make wonderful house plants since they are adaptable from part sun to shade, and prefer being lightly moist but also tolerate drying out between waterings and being very moist occasionally.  Removing the brown shield fronds is not recommended since it may cause them to struggle by simultaneously overheating and water logging their root system, and they also do not like cold temperatures!

Frond Condition: Evergreen, producing two types of fronds: shield fronds at the base, which should not be removed even after they turn brown and papery, and upright vegetative fronds that become low arching as they mature.

Root Type: Central Crown/Shield, Clumping

Reproduction Type: Dimorphic, producing both vegetative shield fronds and fertile fronds with spore filled indusia at the abaxial apex (back side of the tips) of the fronds; Asexual reproduction through clumping

Mature Size: up to 3’ fronds per shield with colonies reaching up to 15’ across in ideal conditions over long periods

Origin: East Africa to India

Cultural Requirements: Part Sun to Filtered Light or Shade, Moist to Lightly moist or Dryish.  Excessively moist conditions can cause shield frond rot, so it prefers to be lightly moist and dry out in between waterings or environments with extremely high humidity and good drainage.

USDA Zones: 10, 11, 12 or as a Houseplant