Drynaria rigidula

Drynaria rigidula is a species of tropical fern in genus Drynaria widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia, from Southwest China to Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.^[1] Growing as an epiphyte or lithophyte, its green fronds are up to 1.22 metres (4 ft 0 in) in length. This fern develops two types of fronds, some of which near the base of the plant are shorter, sterile, and rust-colored which form a basket-like shape that trap moisture and organic components that nourish it.^[2] Especially in colder weather, this basket acts as prime habitat for animals such as the Amethystine python.^[3]

Drynaria rigidula
D. rigidula growing in Queensland
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Suborder:	Polypodiineae
Family:	Polypodiaceae
Genus:	Drynaria
Species:	D. rigidula
Binomial name
Drynaria rigidula (Sw.) Bedd.
Synonyms
Aglaomorpha rigidula, Pseudodrynaria rigidula

The rhizomes of D. rigidula are sometimes used in traditional medicine as a folk remedy, and do have some antioxidant properties though valid medical application has yet to be found through pharmacological studies.^[4][5][6]