Platycerium quadridichotomum

Platycerium quadridichotomum is an accepted naturally occurring species in Polypodiaceae and is endemic to Madagascar.

Prince Roland Bonaparte published the plant as P. bifurcatum var. quadridichotomum in 1917; Marie-Laure Tardieu raised it to species rank in 1959. Henri Perrier de la Bâthie collected the type material in western Madagascar in 1907.

The accepted native range is limited to Madagascar, with detailed collections concentrated in western and northern parts of the island.

The species grows on trees and shrubs and directly on limestone in forests with a severe dry season, from near sea level to approximately 250 m elevation.

Platycerium quadridichotomum develops multiple growing points and forms clusters.

Shield fronds are approximately 18–40 by 7–17 cm, with narrow upright upper portions, a broad truncate top, and an entire or irregularly toothed margin.

Fertile fronds are approximately 15–40 cm long, asymmetrical, wedge-shaped, and fork two to four times; one or two pairs of narrow spore patches form near the middle.

During the long dry season, fertile fronds can roll inward lengthwise and expose the densely hairy lower surface.

Madagascan limestone habitat, clustered growth, upright narrow shields, small hanging fertile fronds, and medial spore patches together distinguish mature P. quadridichotomum.

The species reproduces sexually from spores and can be propagated clonally from additional rooted growing points in an established cluster.

Platycerium quadridichotomum can grow slowly in cultivation, with repeated pauses between periods of growth and early growth that is difficult to notice.

The deeply divided, hanging fertile fronds of Platycerium quadridichotomum can have wavy margins.