Genus of about 15 species of evergreen, epiphytic ferns, with short-creeping rhizomes. Most are found in temperate and tropical rainforest in Africa, Asia and Australia; one occurs in South America. The Staghorn and Elkhorn Ferns bear large and spectagular fronds, usually divided at their ends into antler-like lobes. Staghorn Fern is one of the more unusual and challenging house plants. The most unfern-like of all ferns. Many of their leaves resemble the antlers of an Alaskan moose. There are about 18 species that grow in tropical Africa, Australia and South America. It grows without its roots in soil and produces 2 types of fronds. The barren fronds appear as round discs that fasten closely to the tree trunk or support on which the fern is growing. The fertile, or spore-bearing, fronds hang down and look like antlers. The sterile or barren fronds are brown and they serve to fasten the plant to the bark of trees or to horticultural cork or boards and moss. These fronds collect organic matter and water for growth and the antler-type fronds bear spores.