Rhizome erect, apex densely covered with scales; scales russet-brown, shiny, linear-lanceolate, ca. 1.5 cm × 1 mm, entire. Fronds caespitose. Stipes 3-9 cm, base densely covered with scales like those on rhizome, upper part subglabrous, stramineous. Lamina pentagonal-ovate, 9-14 × 8-10 cm, tripinnate. Pinnae 7-9 pairs; basal pinna largest, ca. 6 × 4 cm, stalked, curved at apex. Pinnules on basal pinna 5 or 6 pairs, ovate, pinnatisect, those on basiscopic side usually larger than those on acroscopic side. Ultimate pinnules on lowest basiscopic pinnule 3 or 4 pairs, oblong, with teeth at apex and margin. Veins pinnate; veinlets simple or forked, visible abaxially. Lamina papery, yellowish green; rachis and pinna rachis densely covered with dark brown bullate scales abaxially. Sori nearer to costa than to margin; indusia brown, reniform, entire or erose.