Shield Frond Characteristics

 

Platycerium shield fronds tend to be tall and deeply lobed to round with no lobes, and in some cases with deep ridges or valleys for water control.  On this page we are going to show how the shield fronds grow in different forms; basket, ball, or ring.

 

 

 

 

The Basket Form of shield fronds grow outward to catch water, bird droppings, and tree leaves that eventually decay and provide essential elements for the platycerium.  P. bifurcatum, P. grande, P. holttumii, P. stemaria, P. suprbum, P. vietchii, P. wandae, and P. wallichii

 

Photo: from Google Images


 

 

The Ball Form of shield frond grow inward toward its host and restricts excessive water from entering the root ball.  These are usually found in wetter climates that rains alot.  The platyceriums in this group include, P. alcicorne, P. ellisii, P. hillii, P. madagascariense, and P. ridleyii

 

Photo: from Google Images


 

 

The Ring Form grows in a ring around the host plant.  These platyceriums tend to pup on a horizontal plane relative to the bud.  Eventually enough pups form to encircle the host tree forming a ring.   The ring functions like a basket to catch rain water, and miscellanous droppings that fall into the ring basket. Platyceriums that grow rings are: P. Andinum, P. Coronarium, P. elephantotis, P. willinckii, and P. quadridichotomum

 

Photo: from Google Images


 

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