Good ground cover in moist areas

A tufting fern to 1 metre. Usually found growing along stream banks, on rainforest margins or in open forest. Very fast growing and suitable for cultivation in moist, shady areas. Regenerates strongly. Can be encouraged to suppress weeds by covering and area. Cutting back the older stems can encourage growth. Rhizome short-creeping, covered with dark red-brown scales 8-10 mm long and about 1 mm wide. Fronds mostly 40-80 cm. Sori circular, indusium hairy. A useful plant, sometimes a bit weedy because of the ease with which it occupies areas if moisture available.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

Propagation can be achieved both by spore sowing and by division of established plants. Christella dentata produces sori (spore clusters) on the underside of its frond lobes, covered by a heart- to kidney-shaped indusium (membrane). Spores can be found throughout the year. To propagate from spores cut fertile fronds with spores into 5 cm sections and lay on moist potting media.

Ferns growing in a pot. Photo: Robert Whyte