Christella subpubescens

Thelypteridaceae

Christella subpubescens (Blume) Holttum

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/67694

Rhizome short-creeping. Fronds tufted, commonly 60–80 cm long. Stipe minutely hairy. Lamina ovate, membranous to firmly herbaceous, glossy green; pinnae c. 10–15 cm long, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, 8–16 pairs; several lower pairs progressively reduced in length, their acroscopic auricles rather small, entire or crenate; largest pinnae lobed one-quarter to one-third of distance to costa; in small plants at least one and a half pairs of veins anastomosing and the next pair ending beside the sinus membrane; in larger plants 2 – two and a half pairs anastomosing to form a zig-zag, excurrent vein; hairs on lower surface of rachis, costae and costules to 0.1 mm long; abaxial surface between veins minutely hairy, usually with some very short capitate hairs; hairs between veins on upper surface usually present, minute, suberect. Sori medial; indusium rather large, thin, glabrous or minutely hairy. 

Wet Tropics of NE Queensland between Bloomfield and Herbert Rivers. Also widespread in Malesia and Pacific Islands.

Terrestrial in lowland to mid-montane vine forest. Usually on disturbed banks in open areas.

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