Rhizome 2 mm ø, fronds c. 1 cm apart; scales rigid, dark, glossy, narrow, acuminate, 2-3 mm long, edges with short teeth or sparse short hairs; phyllopodia not distinct. Sterile frond: stipe 1-1.5 cm; lamina rigid-coriaceous, 3 by 1.5 cm, almost elliptical, base slightly decurrent, apex broadly pointed (fronds on a young plant obovate with much-decurrent bases); thin pale edge distinct; veins not visible; costa slightly prominent near base beneath; many scales on lower surface of young frond (mostly caducous), dark, elongate, with some marginal hairs. Fertile frond: stipe 3 cm; lamina 1.5 by 1 cm, elliptic, base hardly decurrent; small dark glossy scales abundant among sporangia.