2n = 128

Vegetative reproduction by short branching of the rhizome. Rhizome clad in dark brown paleae. Fertile and sterile fronds dimorphic. Fertile fronds erect, sterile fronds more or less prostrate, a little smaller, with pinnae broader and somewhat shorter. Fronds softer than those of D. media ssp. australis, submembranous; lamina not or only slightly red when young, the stipes more deeply coloured; lamina 14-45 cm long. Stipes and raches bearing sparse brown scales which fall with age except at the stipe base; not pubescent. Lower and middle pinnae often auriculate, attached to rachis by the costae only or rarely partly adnate; upper adnate to decurrent. Pinnae c. 13-33 pairs or subopposite; middle pinnae acute to acuminate at apex. Terminal pinna 1.5-15.5 cm long (½-1/8 (1/11) frond length). Longest pinnae 1.5-6.0 cm long 1-2 (-3) mm wide. Distance between middle pinnae, 3-12 mm (1.4-6 × pinna width). Sori in one row, sometimes part or most of second row present, discrete to confluent. Indusium c. 2 mm long, linear.