Staghorn Fern Close up

in #gardening • 8 years ago

Staghorn fern Close up

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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.
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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.
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One leave close up.
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A full plant growing on a tree.
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Here you can see the basil leaves "hugging" the tree.
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The basil leaves forming a bucket to catch dead leaves.
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A fern growing on a palm tree.
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Some dead basil leaves
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Grean basil leaves.
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Spores underneath the leave.
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Close up of spores.
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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.

#photography
8 years ago in #gardening by
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     8 years ago (edited)

    Very interesting read @rynow. I had no idea this plant grew on other plants. Cool picks to. Thank you

    [-]
     8 years ago 

    Hi @instructor2121
    Thanks for reading and replying, There are just so many interesting things in nature, and there is so much to learn from it.

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       8 years ago 

      That is a lot of spores! It looks like your Staghorn Fern is doing well under your dad's care -- nice gardening! It looks like he has quite a few of them - on a palm and a couple other kinds of trees. Which do you think is the best?

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       8 years ago 

      Hi @haphazard-hstead
      To me it looks if they are all doing well, and it does not really matter on which tree they grow, as long as the tree is big enough to support the plants, as they become quite big and heavy.

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         8 years ago 

        They look heavy! It's nice to know that they are adaptable about where they hang out.

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