Polypodiaceae
Plant Profile
Platycerium veitchii
(plat-ih-SEER-ee-um ) (veitch-e-eye)
Subfamily Platycerioideae
Genus Platycerium
“The Platycerium veitchii is probably named for the Veitch nursery in Exeter England, founded by James Veitch in the late 18th century and run by the family until it closed in 1914.
P. veitchii, common name Silver Elkhorn is from Australia and is closely related to P. biforcatum, but is unique in several ways. It is covered with a great amount of white hair. The tops of the shield fronds grow into tall thin fingers. Its fertile fronds are very upright. You can see in the photo above the tall fingers on the shield fronds.” – Halling
“Against common conception this fern prefers to be in partial shade and requires regular watering to look its best.” – Hideaway Palmetum
“The native range of this species is Queensland. It is an epiphyte and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome.” – Kew
Queensland
Origin Map from Kew Royal Botanic Gardens