Rhizome ascending, 2-2.5 cm in diam., densely covered with scales at apex. Fronds caespitose. Stipes dark brown at base and stramineous upward, or reddish when young, 20-25 cm, ca. 2 mm in diam., base covered with black, lanceolate scales, upward scales sparse or upper stipe subglabrous. Lamina ovate-lanceolate, 30-40 × 20-25 cm, bipinnate. Pinnae 10-12 pairs, opposite or subopposite, ovate-lanceolate, 9-12 × 3-4 cm, subsessile, apex caudate. Pinnules 8-10 pairs, oblong-lanceolate, 2-3 cm × 7-10 mm, base broadly cuneate or truncate, margin pinnatifid, apex acute; basal pinnules on lowest pinna distinctly shortened, next 2 or 3 pairs of basiscopic pinnules distinctly larger. Segments ascending, with an acute apical tooth. Veins pinnate; veinlets simple, visible abaxially. Lamina herbaceous, dark green, glabrous adaxially, scaly abaxially; pinna rachis and costa covered with denser bullate scales. Sori slightly nearer to margin than to costa; indusia brown, reniform, entire.