Rhizome erect to sub-erect, up to 30cm tall. Stipe 30cm long, pale green when fresh and straw-coloured when dry. Fronds tufted, erect, glabrous at maturity, up to 1m long; young fronds are covered in hairy felt as they emerge; lamina bipinnate (doubly divided); fertile pinnae borne at leaf blade apex, totally covered in sporangia.

The growth pattern of this species is unusual in that new fronds are produced in autumn, compared to the normal flush of most ferns in spring or summer.

The family Osmundaceae is an isolated and primitive group. Fossils are known from as far back as the Permian period (290 - 248 million years ago). The genus comprises 7 species of which only Osmunda regalis occurs in South Africa.

Latin: regalis = royal; referring to the large size and majestic habit of this species.