Rhizome erect, c. 5 mm in diameter, set with linear-attenuate, black, entire, hair-pointed rhizome-scales c. 8 mm long. Fronds tufted, coriaceous, not gemmiferous; stipe matt brown, glabrous at maturity except for scales basally; lamina narrowly oblong, acute, c. 280 x 130 mm, deeply 2-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate, basal pinnae not reduced; pinnae in c. 10 pairs, trapeziform, deeply incised into 3-5 obcuneate lobes, terminal lobe acuminate and caudate, outer margins dentate, upper surface glabrous, lower surface set with scales c. 2 mm long (often with 2 basal outgrowths), especially at bases of segments. Sori of irregular lengths, up to 8 mm long; indusium membranous, entire, c. 0.3 mm broad.
Perennial with erect rhizome. Fronds tufted, to 40 cm, stipe dark brown to black, glabrous at maturity, lamina firmly herbaceous, narrowly oblong, 2-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate, pinnae to 10 pairs, trapeziform, incised into 3-5 obcuneate lobes, margins dentate, scaled beneath. Sori of irregular lengths, indusium entire.
Rhizome erect, ± 5 mm in diameter, set with black hair-pointed rhizome scales ± 8 mm long. Fronds tufted. Lamina narrowly oblong, acute, ± 280 x 130 mm. Pinnae deeply pinnatifid into 3 to 5 lobes.