[4] The genus name Platycerium comes from the Greek platys (flat), and ceras (horn), while the specific epithet bifurcatum means forked.

[5] Some aggregations of these ferns exhibit individuals specialized for different roles.

These observations, in addition to the fact that there appear to be overlapping generations of these plants in the aggregations, have led to the hypothesis that common staghorn ferns may display an incipient form of eusociality.

With a minimum temperature requirement of 5 °C (41 °F), in temperate regions it may be grown outdoors in sheltered locations, otherwise as a houseplant.

[4] It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.