Staghorn fern

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Scientific name: Platycerium grande

Origin: Southeast Asia and Australia

Description: This is the biggest staghorn fern in Vietnam, with a lifespan of more than 100 years, a canopy of up to 2m wide and 4m high. The tree has a rhizome that grows crawling and is dependent on other plants. The tree has 2 types of leaves: The upper leaves are large, turn to the sky with no stalks and bird’s-eye veins. They never fall but often wither on the tree. Then a new layer of leaves will grow to cover the old one. The lower leaves dangle in pairs, bisecting several times, up to 2 meters in length.

Fun facts: This herb can reduce swelling, itching, and healing bones.