Christella dentata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christella dentata |
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| Christella dentata at Chatswood West, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Christella
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| Species: |
dentata
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| Synonyms | |
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Cyclosorus nymphalis (G.Forst.) |
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Christella dentata is a small fern that grows in many places around the world. You can find it in Australia and on islands in the south Pacific Ocean. This fern has different common names depending on where you are. In New South Wales, Australia, it is often called binung.
About the Binung Fern
This fern is quite small. It likes to grow in places that are moist. You can often spot it near the edges of rainforests. It also grows by streams or in open forests. As long as there is enough moisture, this fern can thrive.
What It Looks Like
The Christella dentata fern has special parts called sori. These are like small dots found on the underside of its leaves. The sori are round in shape. They also have a fuzzy, closed covering. This covering helps protect the fern's spores. Spores are how ferns reproduce and make new plants.
How It Spreads
This fern is very good at spreading to new places. It was the first type of fern to start growing naturally on the Hawaiian Islands. It was first seen on the island of Oahu in 1887. Now, you can find it on all the main islands there.
When Christella dentata grows in Hawaii, it can sometimes mix with a local fern. This local fern is called C. cyatheoides. When they mix, they create a new fern. However, this new fern cannot have babies of its own. This means it is sterile.
Uses of the Fern
People have found some interesting uses for the Christella dentata fern. It is known as an edible fern. This means that some parts of it can be eaten. It has also been used as a traditional medicine. Some people use it as a folk remedy for skin problems.
