Platycerium bifurcatum ssp. bifurcatum
Platycerium bifurcatum (Cavanilles) C. Christensen ssp. bifurcatum, Common Staghorn Fern, is naturalized on O'ahu, Maui, and Hawai'i in the vicinity of populated areas where it has escaped from cultivation in gardens. 
It was first collected in 1991 from large trees near the headquarters of 'Ulupalakua Ranch, East Maui, by R. Hobdy, who counted more than 100 plants growing as epiphytes (Hobdy 3380, BISH). Other populations of this popular cultivated fern are known in high, difficult-to-reach tree branches in residences along Tantalus Drive, Makiki Heights, Honolulu, O'ahu; trees in gardens along Pali Highway, Nu'uanu Valley, O'ahu; and large trees growing along Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawai'i. The fertile fronds bear large areas of sporangia on the lower surfaces of their lobe tips; great quantities of spores are released, which are carried to nearby trees, giving rise to new plants. The known populations of naturalized plants are localized, and their continued spread bears watching.
