Which plant group does the staghorn fern belong to?

Which plant group does the staghorn fern belong to?

polypod
Staghorn ferns are a group of about 18 species of epiphytic ferns in the genus Platycerium of the polypod family (Polypodiaceae) native primarily to Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia, whose fronds supposedly resemble the forked antlers of male deer or elk. A large hanging staghorn fern in a Florida landscape.

What are mosses and ferns called?

Bryophytes are non-vascular small plants growing in moist and shady places. Mosses and liverworts are bryophytes. Pteridophytes are the first vascular plants. Ferns belong to Pteridophyta.

What is the ecological role of mosses and ferns?

Dried peat moss is used as a renewable resource for fuel. Ferns prevent soil erosion, promote topsoil formation, restore nitrogen to aquatic habitats by harboring cyanobacteria, make good house plants, and have been used as food and for medicinal remedies.

What is the difference between staghorn and elkhorn ferns?

The easiest way to distinguish between the two types of fern is that elkhorns have many plants growing together in communities and they have smaller, slender fronds. Whereas staghorns tend to grow as larger individuals. These plants grow equally well on tree branches, fallen logs and rocks.

Why is it called staghorn fern?

The staghorn fern gets its name from its leaves (called fronds) because they resemble that of a deer. These plants can be a bit intimidating, they can grow to be 3 feet wide, but they are truly a beautiful living work of art.

Are mosses and ferns pioneer species?

These plants go by many names, including “pioneer species”, “first colonizers”, “early successional species”, “post-fire specialists”, “early Seral”, etc. Ferns and mosses are some of the first greenery we see after a fire.

What is the classification of moss?

Bryophyta
Moss/Scientific names

Why are mosses called pioneers?

The first organisms to appear in areas of primary succession are often mosses or lichens. These organisms are known as pioneer species because they are the first species present; pioneer species must be hardy and strong, just like human pioneers.

What is a staghorn fern?

Staghorn ferns are a group of about 18 species of epiphytic ferns in the genus Platycerium of the polypod family (Polypodiaceae) native primarily to Africa, Australia and Southeast Asia, whose fronds supposedly resemble the forked antlers of male deer or elk. A large hanging staghorn fern in a Florida landscape.

How do you grow staghorn ferns from Moss?

The best growing medium for staghorn ferns is comprised of sphagnum moss and orchid bark. Simply soak some sphagnum moss for a while. Then squeeze most (but not all) of the water out of the moss. Finally, place the moist moss around the staghorn fern.

What are the two types of fern fronds?

The plant bears two types of fronds: The sterile fronds are flat, round, and located at the base of the fern, and the fertile fronds are irregular, lobed, and usually ascending from the plant. Spores appear as brownish masses on the tips of the antler-like fertile fronds.

Can you grow staghorn ferns in Florida?

Once an uncommon plant find, staghorn fern ( Platycerium spp.) is now quite popular and widely available. Beginner (or easily-distracted) gardeners in Florida should consider growing this fascinating tropical plant.