Polystichum australiense Tindale

Rhizome densely scaly; scales uniform, 7-14 mm long, 2-7 mm wide, dull brown, coarsely fringed at the base. Fronds 30-120 cm long. Stipe 10-40 cm long; scales dull uniformly coloured. Lamina 2-3-pinnate, 20-110 cm long, 9-24 cm wide, dark green, rigid, harsh, coriaceous, often with a terminal proliferous bud; rachis scales 2-5 mm long, 0.3-1.5 mm wide, brown, persistent with margins entire or fringed at base. Pinnules 6-20 mm long, 4-8 mm wide; marginal lobes sharply toothed; apex with a short spine. Indusium often with a dark centre, fugacious. Spores brown.

Grows in open forest and rainforest margins, often in gullies and on rocky slopes.