2n = c. 160

Vegetative reproduction by short branching of the rhizome, noted in glasshouse grown material. Rhizome clad in dense black paleae. Fertile and sterile fronds similar; fertile erect to inclined; sterile inclined to prostrate. Fronds not as harsh as D. media ssp. australis, submembranous; never red when young; lamina c. 12-60 cm long. Stipes and raches bearing brown scales which are more persistent at the stipe base but are often shed; sparsely pubescent, sometimes becoming glabrous with age. Lower pinnae attached by costae only or partly adnate to the rachis, lowest pair sometimes longer than pairs immediately above them; middle pinnae adnate, upper decurrent. Pinnae c. 20-44 pairs or subopposite; middle pinnae rounded, acute or acuminate at apex. Terminal pinna 1.5-6 cm long (1/6) (1/9-1/14 frond length). Longest pinnae c. 1.0-15 cm long, 3-15 mm wide. Distance between middle pinnae 1-10 mm (0.3-1.3 × pinna width). Sori in one or two rows, the second row sometimes almost complete on most pinnae; discrete. Indusium c. 2 mm long, usually linear, rarely kidney-shaped.