Rhizome ascending, densely covered with scales at apex. Fronds caespitose. Stipe stramineous, ca. 20 cm, 1.5-2 mm in diam., scaly throughout; scales black, lanceolate; scales on base of stipe much denser, sparse above. Lamina deltoid-ovate, 20-25 × 15-18 cm, bipinnate. Pinnae 8-10 pairs, subopposite or alternate, ovate-lanceolate, 8-10 × 2.5-3.5 cm, stalked, acuminate. Pinnules 7-10 pairs, oblong, 1-2 cm × 6-8 mm, base cuneate, margin serrate, apex rounded. Veins pinnate; veinlets forked or simple, visible abaxially. Lamina herbaceous, dark green, subglabrous adaxially, scaly abaxially; scales on rachis black, lanceolate; scales on pinna rachis and on costa black, bullate. Sori nearer to costa than to margin; indusia brown, reniform, entire.