Rhizome 3-10 mm thick, internodes to 1-2.5 cm long; vascular strands with bundle sheath hyaline; sclerenchyma strands very many. Rhizome scales peltate, spreading to squarrose, recurved from an appressed base, 7.5-10 by 1.2-2.1 mm (width at base), contracted to a narrow acumen, brown to blackish, very stiff, brittle, with a lighter margin, long-ciliate on margin and exposed surfaces, cilia often absent from older scales. Fronds simple, monomorphic. Stipe 2-30 cm long; lamina 6.5-60 by 1.7-12 cm, index 3-6.5, widest at 0.3-0.5 from base. Venation: main veins on upper surface very distinct, not raised or raised. Hydathodes frequent, calcareous scales persistent, large, conspicuous. Margin cartilaginous, strongly thickened; notches regularly present. Sori round, in one row between adjacent veins, in 5-11 rows between costa and margin, 2 mm wide, deeply sunken.