Christella parasitica

Thelypteridaceae

Christella parasitica (L.) H.Lev.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/67686

Rhizome short-creeping (not in Australia) or long-creeping, slender. Fronds to 80 cm long, dull to bright lime-green, sticky when young. Stipe to 40 cm long, copiously hairy. Lamina ovate, to 40 cm long, with c. 20 pairs of closely and ±evenly spaced pinnae; basal pinnae not progressively reduced in length, auriculate on acroscopic base; largest pinnae c. 16 cm long, 2 cm wide, lobed two-thirds to three-quarters of way to costae; veins 8–10 pairs, basal pair anastomosing, next pair passing to margin above base of sinus or sometimes the second acroscopic veins touching the sinus membrane; lower surface typically covered with slender erect hairs to 1 mm long; veins in pinna lobes usually with thick clavate orange glandular hairs. Sori medial, lower ones divergent; indusium hairy.

Endeavour River NE QLD to SE QLD. Also widespread in Malesia and Pacific Islands.

Terrestrial in lowland swamp rainforest, also in disturbed sites in montane rainforest.

Fronds have a spicy aroma when crushed. Putative hybrids with other Christella have been observed.

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