Platycerium ridleyi - Ridleyi's Staghorn Fern

Scientific name: Platycerium ridleyi

Common name: Ridleyi's Staghorn Fern

Family: Polypodiaceae

Origin: Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo

Category: Epiphytic fern

Photo taken at: Rooftop Secret Garden of 1-Utama

Features :  It is found as an epiphyte attached to tall trees at a height of up to 25 m above ground in primary lowland rainforest. In its natural environment, ants inhabit the spaces between the fronds. It has a mutually beneficial relationship with the ants whereby the ants has a sheltered nest and in return they provide a source of nutrients for the plant. This species of staghorn fern is considered rare/endangered or even extinct in some places.Few people have successfully grown this fern at home.

References: The DNA of Singapore