Platycerium elephantotis

Give it bright, filtered daylight, such as near a bright window with strong sun softened by a sheer curtain. Maintain humidity with good air circulation.

A colonial epiphyte that grows high on large trees and can develop additional growing points or pups. It is also occasionally recorded on rocks. Documented habitats include dry forest, dense forest, forest edges, and open woodland, in light shade or full sun. Zambian records range from approximately 580–1,240 m (1,900–4,070 ft).

The shield fronds are broadly oblong and approximately 45 × 30 cm (18 × 12 in) in a regional flora description. Their lower portion is thick and spongy, while the upper portion is thinner and prominently veined. The heart-shaped bases overlap around the rhizome to form a substantial nest. The upper margin remains entire or becomes irregularly wavy rather than deeply divided. Young shields carry grey star-shaped hairs and become less hairy with age.

The fertile fronds are broad, rounded at the tip, entire or nearly entire, and approximately 50 × 25 cm (20 × 10 in) in a regional flora description. Their underside carries reddish-brown star-shaped hairs and one very large oval spore-bearing area below the tip, which may reach about 25 cm (10 in) across. The broad undivided form resembles an elephant’s ear rather than a branching antler.

Recognize P. elephantotis by its broad, mostly undivided fertile fronds with one large oval spore patch near the tip. P. stemaria has divided fertile fronds, P. alcicorne has repeatedly forked antler fronds, and P. ellisii has smaller rounded shields and fertile fronds that may fork once.