Rhizome creeping, fronds 1-2 cm apart; scales rigid, dull brown to glossy dark brown, 4-6 by 1-1.5 mm, apex acuminate, edges with teeth or stiff hairs; phyllopodia 1.5-2 cm long. Sterile fronds: stipe 4-15 cm long, pale, rather persistently scaly as rhizome; lamina thick, rigid, variable in shape, commonly 10-13 by 2.5-3.5 cm, on some plants 8-10 by 4 cm, widest about middle or above it, apex narrowed to rounded tip, base cuneate and ± decurrent (more so in small than in large fronds); thin edge pale, 1/4 mm wide; veins distinct or not; costa broad and slightly prominent beneath; scales on both surfaces at first abundant, to 1 mm long, dark, glossy, appressed, usually with some spreading marginal hairs. Fertile frond: stipe 15-30 cm; lamina commonly 9-14 cm long, 2-2.5 cm wide, of one specimen 8 by 4 cm.