Christella hispidula

Thelypteridaceae

Christella hispidula (Decne.) Holttum

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/67674

Rhizome slender, erect. Fronds to 80 cm long, pale green. Stipe 15–25 cm long, with pale hairs. Lamina 30–50 cm long, thin; pinnae 20–30 pairs; several lower pairs progressively decrescent; basal pinnae c. 3 cm long; largest pinnae c. 12 cm long, 1.5 cm wide, lobed three-quarters of way to costae; veins 7–9 pairs, the lowest, at a wide angle to the costule, uniting to form a short vein ending at the sinus membrane; next veins passing to the margin above the base of the sinus membrane, lower surface of costae, costules and veins with slender hairs more than 0.5 mm long and some shorter capitate ones; glandular hairs lacking. Sori medial or a little supramedial; indusium thin, rather small, with hairs of various lengths. 

Widespread across NE and E Queensland. Also widespread in the Palaeotropics.

Terrestrial, growing in a wide variety of mesic and xeric vine forests from sea level to upper montane areas.

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