Platycerium alcicorne ‘Gorgon’
plat-ee-SIR-ee-um al-sih-KOR-nee GOR-gun
Also recorded as: Gorgon · ゴルゴン All names
Front view of Gorgon, showing its spreading, divided fronds and curled tips.
Mature · © Haruhana · All rights reservedPronounced waves and curls in the divided fertile fronds give mature plants a twisting, sculptural outline.
- Species
- Platycerium alcicorne
- Reported origin
- Origin under review Details
Care
Growing this plant
Care difficulty: BeginnerGenerally easy to grow and tolerant under ordinary staghorn care. Water the root area thoroughly as the mounting medium begins to dry, then let excess water drain.
Give it bright, indirect daylight, such as near a bright window with strong summer sun softened by a sheer curtain. Keep air moving around the plant.
Keep it warm in winter and protect it from frost. Growth may slow in a cool room; check the mounting medium before watering, as it may dry more slowly.
Description
How this plant is recognized
The fertile fronds divide into antler-like branches with conspicuous, broad waves and curled tips. CALM Plants describes broader fronds than its usual Madagascar-form alcicorne; young plants may develop the characteristic waviness gradually.
Pronounced waves and curls in the divided fertile fronds give mature plants a twisting, sculptural outline.
Classification
Where this plant belongs
Platycerium
Platycerium alcicorne
Names and usage
Original name · English
Trade name · Japanese
Origin & history
What is known so far
Where this plant came from and how its identity developed.
Reported originUnder review
Huang Shijie’s Staghorn Diary describes Gorgon as a distinctive Madagascar-form alcicorne cultivated by the Japanese grower Taro. CALM Plants, a Japanese plant nursery, also associates it with the Madagascar form. Japanese grower Kiyoshi documented the name in a November 2023 listing and reported obtaining his plant directly from the person who named it.
2023
Gorgon refers to the snake-haired figures of Greek mythology. THE TRIBUS STUDIO, a Taiwanese plant nursery, compares its curled mature fronds with Medusa’s snake hair. Huang Shijie’s Staghorn Diary also draws this visual comparison.
Supporting photographs
Other documented views
Side view of Gorgon, showing the projecting fronds and rounded shield at the base.
Mature · © Haruhana · All rights reservedClose view of Gorgon’s divided fronds, with visible veins and curled tips.
Fertile frond · © Haruhana · All rights reservedLineage and species
Species and documented relationships
Platycerium alcicorne
Propagation
What has been observed
Documented propagation
- Produces pups / vegetative offspring
- Produces fertile spores
- Tissue culture documented
Evidence
Documented claims
Historical and factual accounts shown with their review status and supporting sources.
Identity
Madagascar-form alcicorne selection
Staghorn Diary identifies Gorgon as a distinctive Madagascar-form Platycerium alcicorne.
Cultivation history
Cultivated by Japanese grower Taro
Staghorn Diary credits cultivation of Gorgon to the Japanese grower Taro.
Description
Wavy and curled fertile fronds
Staghorn Diary describes conspicuous broad waves and curls in the divided fertile fronds. CALM Plants notes that the characteristic waviness develops as plants mature.
Naming
Medusa association and Chinese trade name
THE TRIBUS STUDIO compares Gorgon’s curled mature fronds with Medusa’s snake hair; the book also draws this visual comparison.
History
Documented circulation by November 2023
Kiyoshi’s listing opened on 23 November 2023 and reports direct acquisition from the person who named Gorgon.
Propagation
Offsets and spore-grown offspring
THE TRIBUS STUDIO explicitly sells offsets, while Bikamori-wife explicitly offers spore-grown Gorgon offspring.
Propagation
Commercial tissue-culture stock
Korean nursery Donalanc lists P. alcicorne Gorgon (TC).
Cultivation
Book reports easy cultivation and tolerance
Huang Shijie’s Staghorn Diary describes Gorgon as easy to cultivate and tolerant, suitable for enthusiasts at different experience levels.
Source register
黃仕傑
鹿角蕨日記簿：栽培與觀賞 ↗︎2025CALM Plants
CALM Plants: アルシコルネゴルゴン ↗︎Date not establishedTHE TRIBUS STUDIO
THE TRIBUS STUDIO: Platycerium alcicorne Gorgon ↗︎Date not establishedKiyoshi / @bk_kiyoshi
Kiyoshi: P. alcicorne Gorgon, November 2023 ↗︎Date not establishedBikamori-wife
Bikamori-wife: Gorgon spore-grown plants ↗︎Date not establishedDonalanc
Donalanc: Gorgon tissue-culture stock ↗︎Date not established
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