Binung around

It's a great garden plant and, if you're lucky, the beautiful and very tough Binung fern may simply turn up

by Emma Rooksby

Published April 29, 2026

A warm and dry autumn is upon us in Illawarra, and many plants in bushland areas are starting to show signs of stress. Urban ponds and bird baths once again are very popular with local birds, from Crimson Rosellas to Eastern Spinebills, Eastern Whipbirds, Green Catbirds and Grey Butcherbirds. Fungi fruiting bodies are scarce on the ground, and drying leaves crackle underfoot.

But one plant in particular is standing proud and looking good. The Binung fern, or Christella dentata, tolerates warm and dry conditions, just as long as it has access to some soil moisture. It is often found growing alongside waterways or damp pathways, especially in rainforest, as in the image below (which also features the trunk of a Cooper's Tree Fern, Cyathea cooperi, on the right).

Binung (Christella dentata) fern growing alongside a pathway that has turned into something of a minor waterway. This kind of situation is typical for Binding. Image by Judy Mitchell. — Binung (*Christella dentata*) fern growing alongside a pathway that has turned into something of a minor waterway. This kind of situation is typical for Binung. Photo: Judy Mitchell

Ferns can be hard to tell apart.

Binung has a couple of features that make it relatively easy to identify. One is that the tip of each frond has a narrower section, as per the image below; this may be more or less pronounced but is present on all fronds. Its typical creekside location also helps, though this is never a cert.

The tip (apex) of Binung fronds is markedly narrower than the rest of the fronds. Image by Peter Woodard. — The tip (apex) of Binung fronds is markedly narrower than the rest of the fronds. Photo: Peter Woodard

Binung makes an excellent garden plant. Even better, it will often turn up all on its own, in situations that suit it, so you don't need to worry about designing the right place for it to live.

The below image, by David Curtis of Fairy Meadow, shows Binung colonising a narrow shady pathway between a fence and a building.

Abundant Binung just hanging around in a situation that suits it. Image by David Curtis. — Abundant Binung just hanging around in a situation that suits it. Photo: David Curtis

Unfortunately, this beautiful and very tough fern is not generally available in nurseries.

You may have to just hope it turns up in a suitable spot near you, as happened at our place courtesy of some large damp rocks (see image below). Or ask someone who already has some at their place!