Decades ago, most growers and sellers of Staghorn Ferns were as likely to call them Elkhorn Ferns as they would Staghorn Ferns. Those two terms are not quite as likely to be used (on labels) for the same plant today, but the confusion still exists. I think the majority of people still believe that Staghorns and Elkhorns are the same plant. Staghorn Ferns are epiphytic plants and Elkhorn Ferns are terrestrial plants. Though they are of the same family of plants (Polypody), they are different genera and really are nothing alike.