Stipe is shiny and often wavy. Fertile fronds are small, pinnate with a terminal comb-like portion divided into 5-8 pairs of linear pinnae 2-3mm long; rachis of fetile portion is straight and held at 45° to the stipe; sori situated along inner surface of the pinnae.

Schizaea tenella is distinguished from S. pectinata by its smaller size, smaller fertile portions, smaller pinna length and its streamside habitat.

Latine: tenella = slender, dainty; referring to the small size of this species.