One of the giant tuberous aroids that form a single, umbrella-like leaf on a fleshy stem. The stem or petiole, which can reach 4 feet tall is mottled in shades of green. The fleshy tuber is subterranean and is grown for food in Asia. Flowers appear before leaves on mature plants, a 6 inch funnel-shaped spathe is deep glossy purple with an erect purple spadix.

This is a pretty and unusual species which we got in Venezuela. It is an erect grower with very stiff oblong leaves that are dark green with cream striping, produced in whorls around the stiff, square stem. The description can sound like any of several similar patterned species but this one is truly different. I guess it’s one of those ‘you have to see it’ types. Very popular in terrarium use.

The most widely grown of all the staghorns. A hardy species from the east coast of Australia up to New Guinea, it can withstand outdoor winter conditions in much of Florida and warmer areas of the south and west with brief dips to freezing. The flat shield or sterile fronds form a smooth, rounded mound on the surface of a tree or on a slab, from which the long, deeply incised or ‘finger-like’ fertile fronds emerge. The fertile fronds can be up to 3 feet long and the clump as a whole can reach truly giant proportions.

In Florida massive clumps, suspended from chains around tree limbs, can be seen in many gardens. Easily grown on wood plaques, solid or slatted, in orchid baskets, on driftwood or nearly any substrate that is sturdy enough. Open shade is best but some direct sun is okay, water enough to keep moist but not wet. Let dry some between watering.

A crested birdnest fern. This is a fantastic, crested form of this widely distributed tropical Asian fern. Growing to 30 inches across in some cases, with wide, apple-green fronds with a prominent midrib that becomes darker, almost black, in older plants.

This form has crested leaves that end in deeply cut, finger like serrations. Outstandingly decorative and versatile as a garden subject, houseplant or terrarium plant. A choice new variety.

A new and unusual fern hybrid by Vitro Plus B.V. in Holland. A hybrid of a Phlebodium and a Pyrrosia, it is said to be cold hardy, drought tolerant and fast growing. A footed fern, great for hanging baskets or it can be mounted. The fronds are broad and graceful, deep green with the pinna broad and curled at the ends. The rhizomes are white and fuzzy.

A remarkably crested form of birdnest fern. A very full growing plant to about 18 inches across with wide, apple-green fronds with a prominent midrib that becomes darker in older plants. This form has crested leaves that end in deeply cut, finger like serrations. Outstandingly decorative with a ruffled appearance. Versitile as a garden subject, houseplant or terrarium plant. A choice new variety. Similar to but even more spectacularly crested than ‘Chrissy‘.

A really nice, low-growing to somewhat mounding species that is fairly new on the scene. Native to South Africa, it is vigorous and easy growing with short, very branchy stems and lots of adventitious roots.

It is very full and dense with growth in small whorls, medium green, and easy! Superior terrarium choice.

Keep moist, not wet. Does not like to dry out completely.

Dwarf Elkhorn Fern or climbing birdnest fern. Native to the Old World tropics from Africa to Australia, it is a good terrarium fern with erect fronds that are leathery, glossy light green in color and end in a full frilled crest. Makes a great plant for tree frogs. Also popular as a landscape plant or as a potted or hanging basket. Fronds are produced on tough rhizomes in a compact fashion. In nature it is a lithophyte, growing on rocks where it enjoys bright light and maximum drainage.

Asplenium antiquum ‘Japanese Birdnest‘  This is one of the most widely grown forms of birdnest ferns due to it’s compact size, beautiful form with many narrow leaves in a in a gracefully arching rosette. Suitable for shaded gardens, growing as an epiphyte in trees or on mounts, indoor culture or terrarium use when small.

The ‘White Rabbit’s Foot Fern’ is a jewel! This beauty has graceful deep-green, finely divided fronds growing from thick, fuzzy-white rhizomes. The rhizomes are a show in themselves and the plant makes a dramatic hanging basket specimen or mount. Works well in terrariums too!