Closer view of the disc

Disc Stag's Horn Fern - Platycerium coronarium
Location : Botanic Island One

Disc Stag's Horn Fern - Platycerium coronarium
Location : Botanic Island One

A surprise from the deciduous tree

A tropical deciduous tree, Zone C.

 It is not common to see tropical trees shedding all its leaves and then refresh itself with new generation of leaf growth.  Recently one such tree revealed its qualities at Zone C.  Once totally bared it revealed a surprise.  All this while not seen was a Disc Stag's Horn that has survived unnoticed clinging to the tree.

Disc Stag's Horn fern growing on a deciduous tree
Location : Zone C

Hot on heels on ferny trail (Part 2)

View of Kambatik Park, from Zone G looking south - showing the yellow flushes of the 'Balem' tree.

Dragon scales 0r Duit-Duit (Malay)
(Drymoglossum piloselloides)

 We have tall trees at the park.  Been here for more than 60 years ago.  In such an environment there are lots of shade below the canopy and the trunks and barks of these trees are natural hangouts for the epiphytic ferns.  One such example is the Dragon Scales or what Malays call 'Duit-Duit' - literally to shown the shape of the leaves which resemble coins.  In Malay, duit means money and in this instance is small money, just coins.  This fern has adapted well to live on branches and its presence pave the way up for other ferns to create a community of ferns.  They could also be joined by other plantlife like the many varieties of miniature wild orchids (see picture below).

A small commuinty of ferns and wild orchids.
Location : Zone C

The cut bases of oil palm fronds are ideal places for ferns to grow because of its ample moisture trapped in the rotting fibrous medium.  In the above picture is shown the brownish roots of the Rabbit's Foot Fern that fixes itself on the rotting vegetative matter of the oil palm trunks. 

Disc Stag's Horn Fern ( Platycerium coronarium)

 An exotic looking fern that is easily found attached to tall trees at the park is the Disc Stag's Horn Fern (Platycerium coronarium).  Nowadays it is common to see them hanging on the branches of rubber trees,  old jungle trees in the forest or even in urban environments on wayside trees like Rain trees which are planted at car parks, open spaces and green lungs of the urban towns.

CU of the leaves of the Disc Stag's Horn Fern.
Location : Botanic Island One, Zone D.