Perennial fern with widely spreading rhizome. Fronds arching, stipe glabrous. Triangular-shaped fronds, 3-pinnate, are semi-erect in the beginning then droop gracefully as they age and can be up to 40cm long. Sori are 'u'-shaped and occur on outer margins of ultimate pinnae, they are covered by a pale or whitish membrane (indusium).

Greek: adiantos = unwetted; referring to the water repellant properties of the foliage.

Common name derives from the shiny dark leafstalks that resemble human hair.

Native of South America, widely distributed in the moist regions of South Africa.