Christella dentata

Thelypteridaceae

Christella dentata (Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/67662

Rhizome short-creeping, indistinctly suberect or erect. Fronds varying considerably in length, usually 60–90 cm long, dark green, herbaceous. Stipe 20–50 cm long, shortly hairy. Lamina ovate to somewhat obovate, to 50 cm or more long; pinnae 15–25 pairs, basal 2–4 pairs progressively reduced; basal pinnae c. 4–5 cm long, strongly auriculate on acroscopic base; largest pinnae c. 8–10 cm long, 1.5–1.8 cm wide, lobed half to two-thirds of way to costae; apex acuminate; pinna lobes slightly oblique with rounded tips; veins 8 or 9 pairs; basal veins anastomosing to form an excurrent vein to the short sinus membrane; next acroscopic vein passing to the side of the sinus membrane; lower surface of rachis with 0.2–0.4 mm long hairs; hairs on lower surface of costae and costules mostly to 0.2 mm long; hairs on upper surface of costae 0.5 mm or more long; hairs on upper surface of costules and veins similar, scattered; hairs between veins sparse, very short, both acicular and capitate. Sori medial apart from the lowest ones which sometimes touch those on veins from neighbouring costules; indusium thin, copiously short-hairy.

Widespread across N, NE and SE coast of Australia. Also Palaeotropics and subtropic.

Terrestrial in a wide variety of open woodland and forest types. In arid areas it usually grows on creek margins and in rainforest it usually grows on disturbed sites with a broken canopy.

Readily grown in a container or in the ground in a tropical garden or fernery. Can be invasive in some situations.