Rhizome ascending, clad in dark paleae up to 5 mm. long, invested by bases of fallen crowded stipites. Stipes stiff, asperous, ± densely paleate, (4)-10-25-(30) cm. long, blackish brown in lower portion, lighter brown above, becoming smooth in age. Rhachis asperous, ± paleate; with ∞ alt. to subopp. pinnae. Lamina 30-45 × 5-10 cm., harsh, coriac., dark green, linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate, acuminate, pinnatifid in apical portion. Lower pinnae stalked, in distant pairs, 5-20 × 5-10 mm., ovate-cordate, sharply serrate. Mid pinnae up to 4-6 cm. × c. 5 mm. lanceolate-oblong to linear-lanceolate, ± arcuate, subsessile to sessile and decurrent at base, sts confluent, sharply serrate, mucronate, sts auricled at base. Upper gradually decreasing in size; terminal portion sts caudate. Sori in a single row, or with an irregular outer row, c. 2 mm. long, often approximate, occ. ± confluent.